蕃松院

This Buddhist temple in Saku features a large cemetery with many stone monuments, one of Japan's three largest burial grounds. The complex includes multiple buildings constructed in styles dating back to the Edo period, creating a solemn and contemplative setting.

This temple originated during the Edo period and experienced multiple fires that led to several reconstructions of its buildings. Despite these losses, the original architectural elements were maintained and continue to define the complex's appearance.

The grounds serve as a place of remembrance where families have marked their histories through stone monuments for centuries. You can walk among the graves and sense how this space remains central to the community's connection with their ancestors.

The site is accessible and easy to navigate once you enter the grounds, with clear pathways throughout the complex. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the cemetery covers a large area with considerable distances between sections.

A massive cedar tree has stood in front of the cemetery for roughly 1,200 years, serving as a living witness to the temple's long history. Many visitors view this ancient tree as a spiritual connection bridging the present with the past.