🗺️ Aizu Spiral Hall (Entsu Sanzado)

Mount Iimori, known for being the location where the "Byakkotai" (White Tiger Brigade) committed suicide, features a Kannon Hall called "Aizu Spiral Hall," officially named "Entō Sanza-dō." This Buddhist hall was built in 1796 and stands approximately 16.5 meters tall. It is said to have been constructed by the authentic temple monk Yutō, who practiced in this area at the time. The architecture of Aizu Spiral Hall is quite unique, and its interior is even more peculiar and mysterious. Once you step inside, you'll understand why it is named the Spiral Hall. There are no stairs inside; instead, there is a wooden ramp that spirals in a clockwise direction. After reaching the top floor and crossing a bridge, you descend again. People ascending and descending intertwine without ever being aware of each other, moving up and down in a one-way double-spiral passage. It truly gives the feeling of being inside a seashell. During the Edo period, Zaidōs were built in various places according to Buddhist rituals, where people would worship by circling the hall three times in a clockwise direction. Among the existing Sanza-dōs, this Spiral Hall stands out for its uniqueness. It is now designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

The unique wooden architecture in the world has been designated as an important cultural property of the nation. Until the Edo period, people would visit the 33 sacred sites of the Western Country (西国三十三箇所) for worship. Visiting this shell hall (海螺堂) is equivalent to having worshiped at the 33 sacred sites of the Western Country. The official name of Aizu Spiral Hall (会津螺旋堂) is "En'tō San'sa-dō" (圓通三匝堂), which means "to turn three times."