Admission
Not confirmed
At a Glance
Sazaedō is the world's only wooden double-helix structure, predating DNA's discovery by 150 years. Its design may have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's staircase at Château de Chambord in France.
The priest Ikudō designed this architectural marvel without formal training, likely using knowledge from Western books that became available in 1720 when the Tokugawa shogunate lifted its ban on foreign literature.
Same as opening hours
This temple offers goshuin, but we don't have photos yet. Be the first to share yours!
Not confirmed
Facilities
Experience
The double-helix ramp system means you'll ascend on one spiral path and descend on another without ever crossing paths with other visitors, so don't expect to retrace your steps or turn back once you start climbing.
While the original 33 Kannon statues that lined the spiral walkway were destroyed after the Meiji Revolution, replicas now occupy the alcoves, so you can still experience the symbolic one-stop pilgrimage that made this temple famous in 1796.
Follow the one-way double-helix ramp all the way through; you can go up and down without meeting oncoming visitors.
Expect a sloped interior walkway rather than standard stairs, so wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
The entirely wooden structure creaks audibly as you walk the spiral ramps due to its construction without floors or internal supports, which is a normal part of experiencing this 200-year-old architectural marvel.
Combine your visit with nearby Mount Iimori historical sites including the Byakkotai Memorial, the tombs of the young samurai warriors, and a 600-year-old cherry tree, all within short walking distance of Sazaedo.
From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, take the Aizu circular bus to the Mount Iimori stop, which takes about 45 minutes, as the temple is located on a hillside overlooking the city rather than in the downtown area.
Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture
0 recent posts
Share how your visit was to help other travelers.
No public community posts yet.
More ways to continue from this place.