Shinshū Ōtani-ha Hakodate Betsuin, Buddhist temple in Hakodate, Japan
Shinshū Ōtani-ha Hakodate Betsuin is a Buddhist temple featuring modern Japanese architecture constructed from reinforced concrete rather than traditional wood. The complex comprises a main hall and bell tower that form an integrated structure within the temple grounds.
The temple was founded in 1641 and completely rebuilt in 1907 following a major fire. This reconstruction marked the first time reinforced concrete was used as the primary building material for a temple in Japan.
The temple serves as a gathering place for followers of Shin Buddhism in Hakodate, where regular ceremonies bring the community together. Visitors can observe how the space functions as a spiritual and social hub for local practitioners.
The temple complex is located on Motomachi Street in Hakodate and is easily reached on foot. The main building and bell tower are visible from outside the grounds, making the overall layout clear to visitors arriving at the site.
Architect Ito Heizaemon designed the structure to blend modern construction techniques with traditional Buddhist architectural vocabulary. The result is an unusual hybrid that shows how old and new building methods could work together at the time.
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