Godaido Hall, Matsushima
瑞巌寺 五大堂
A hall rebuilt by Date Masamune on an islet in Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Views. Cross the gappy red bridge, sea below, to Matsushima's iconic scene.
A hall on a tiny island in Matsushima Bay
Godaido is a Buddhist hall on a small island just off the shore of Matsushima town in Miyagi Prefecture, and it belongs to Zuiganji, a Zen temple nearby. According to tradition, it began as a hall to the deity Bishamon built around 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, and it came to be called Godaido ("hall of the five great ones") after the monk Jikaku Daishi Ennin enshrined statues of five Myoo, wrathful guardian deities.
The present hall was rebuilt in 1604 by Date Masamune, ahead of his restoration of Zuiganji. Ink writing on a beam confirms the year it was built. It is said to be the oldest Momoyama-style building in the Tohoku region and is a national Important Cultural Property.
The see-through bridge
To reach Godaido you cross the vermilion Sukashi-bashi ("see-through bridge"). There are gaps between its floorboards, so you can see the sea beneath your feet. It is said to be designed so that, by watching your step as you cross, you collect yourself before you pray.
Please note that the bridge cannot be crossed in a wheelchair.
The zodiac under the eaves and a hidden Buddha shown every 33 years
From outside, the hall is a calm natural wood colour, but look closely under the eaves and you will see the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac carved into the kaerumata on all four sides (decorative blocks set on the beams, shaped like a frog's splayed legs). Each animal is placed facing its own compass direction.
Inside the hall is an ornate zushi (a cabinet with doors for holding Buddhist statues) containing statues of the Five Great Myoo from the Heian period (794-1185). They are a hibutsu, a hidden Buddha not normally shown, and the doors are opened only once every 33 years. The last showing was in August 2006, and the next is planned for 2039.
Getting there
It is about a 7-minute walk from Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line. Visiting the hall is free, but the gate closes in the evening. Zuiganji is just nearby too, so it fits easily into a stroll around Matsushima.
Tips
- Try finding your own zodiac animal (eto, the animal of your birth year) among the carvings under the eaves.
- You can see the sea through the gaps in the see-through bridge, so take extra care with your footing if you are wearing heels or sandals.
- The gate closes in the evening, so if you are going late, check the closing time.
Sources
Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
