The temple's beautiful main gate (Photo: Larry Knipfing)

Sabae's Josho-ji Temple

A temple with a beautiful gate and beautiful dragons

Larry Knipfing   - 1 min read

Known for the splendor of its main gate, Josho-ji Temple is the head temple of the Shinshu sect, and the biggest temple in Sabae. The gate is gorgeous; I felt that I could have stood there for hours looking at all its carvings, especially the dragon. Carved by master craftsman, Goro Sajin, it is beautiful, scary, and mysterious, all at once. Walk up to the main hall. The outside veranda is wide and lovely, constructed of serious, dark wood. Inside the temple (not generally open to the public) there are long halls, washi-papered bamboo doors, and a rock garden in the yard. Enjoy a huge bazaar, known as "Makoto Ichi", the third Sunday of each month.

Larry Knipfing

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...