Rinnoji temple [輪王寺]
Rinnoji is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Soto Sect, one of Japanese Zen-Buddhist sects.
The vowel "o" in the word is pronounced long, so it is reas as "Rin-nôji" in Japanese.
It is located about 3.5 km northwest of Sendai station.
This temple was established in current Fukushima Prefecture in 1441.
At that time, Date Family which became the lord of Sendai afterward had been living there.
After that, they moved the base and this temple six times.
Then, in 1602, this temple was placed here.
Since that, this temple had been the central temple of Soto sect in Tohoku region for over three centuries.
But, in 1876, all temples except Niomon Gate had burnt out by field fire, then this temple ruined.
Restoration of this temple started from 1903, and current temple completed in 1915.
Japanese garden in Rinnoji
Photo by Sendai Tourism, Convention
and International Association
Rinnoji in autumn
Photo by Sendai Tourism, Convention
and International Association
There is a Japanese-style garden behind the main hall.
And there are a Three-Storied Pagoda, small Five-Storied Pagoda of stone, and a tea house.
How to get here
By route bus, about 25 minutes from Sendai station.
Get off at "Rinnoji-mae" stop.
By JR Senzan Line or subway, get off at Kita-Sendai station.
About 1 km walk from the station.