Temple of Wood Carvings & Yamamoto-tei, Japanese Architecture in Shibamata
Window view from Yamamoto-tei
Contents
Overview
Shibamata is nostalgic town loved by the locals as famous movie actor, Tora-san lived there.
The approaching path lined with sweet dango dumpling, rice cracker shops leads to Taishakuten temple nick named “temple of wood carving”. There are numerous wood carvings depicting scene from Buddhist scripture and must attract you by their intricacy.
Suikei-en Japanese garden of the compound encircled with wooden corridor shows you beautiful changing scenery of the garden.
Yamamoto-tei, a former merchant’s residence features Japanese-Western style, creating a harmony of a Japanese drawing room, western architecture and Japanese garden.
Ranked 4th by American magazine Sukiya Living,the Journal of Japanese Gardening in 2019 Yamamoto tei will give you rich and relaxing time while sitting on cool tatami mat viewing tranquil Japanese garden.
Matcha tea & sweets are available for 500-600 yen.
Wood carving gallery, Taishakuten
What’s Included
Guiding fee
Traveler pickup at hotel
What’s Not Included
Departure & Return
Traveler pickup is offered
The guide will meet you at your hotel / accommodation.
Departure Time
9:00 AM
Return
1:00 PM at Shibamata st.
What To Expect
Itinerary
Yamamotei, Shibamata
Stop At: Shibamata
The tour starts by strolling along the approaching path to Shibamata Taishakuten temple nicknamed “Temple of wood carving”. Shibamata is also loved by the locals as the town where famous movie actor, Tora-san lived. In front of JR Shibamata station there is a pair of bronze statues of “Tora-san” and his younger pretty sister “Sakura”.
Torasan, Shibamata
Sakura, Shibamata
At the end of approaching path there is a grand gate called Nitenmon of Shibamata Taishakuten temple having roughly 400 year’s history. Nitenmon gate was built all using hard and mold free zelkova trees so as to last long, plus for artistic beauty. When you enter the compound first pray to the Bodhisattva, then purify yourself at the purification place. A huge Kuromatsu pine tree in the temple complex is named “zuiryu no matsu” meaning “the dragon ascends to the heaven”. The pine tree is thought to be over 500yrs old.
Stop At: Shibamata Taishakuten (Taishakuten Daikyoji Temple)
Taishakuten
The main hall leads to wooden Carving gallery and traditional Japanese garden called Suikei-en ( admission : 400yen/person). There are such a numerous wood carvings inside and outside that the temple is called “Temple of Carving”. After visiting the gallery let’s take off your shoes and walk the corridor leading to the Japanese garden “Suikei-en” within the compound. While walking on the wooden corridor encircling the garden you can enjoy seasonal changing scenery.
Wood carving, Taishakuten
Suikei-en
Stop At: Yamamototei
Yamamote-tei
Within a few minutes from Shibamata Taihakuten temple is Yamamoto-tei, a former merchant’s residence where features Japanese – Western style, creating a harmony of a Japanese drawing room, western architecture and Japanese garden. All rooms are open designed with few walls in between and face the garden over corridor. You can relax sitting on tatami mat hearing sound of waterfall water to the back of the garden, eating Match tea & sweet available here.
Yamamoto-tei, Shibamata
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible within compound, but not in gallery with stairs
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed within compound, but not in buildings and gallery
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity
- Only your group will participate
Operated by Xperience Japan
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 3 days in advance of the start date of the experience. This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Learn more about cancellations. Frequently Asked Questions.
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