The Shining Aizu Buddha and the Color of Flowers

Ganjoji Temple, known for its Aizu Buddha, is a historic temple of the Jodo sect. The temple was founded in 1227 by Ryukan, the founder of the Jodo sect’s Tannen-gi branch. Though Ryukan was exiled to the province of Mutsu, he remained in Iiyama, Sagami. It was actually his disciple, Jitsujo, who established Ganjoji Temple at its current location, where he built a burial mound for Ryukan and enshrined his image.

The main hall, the old Amida hall, and the temple gate were all constructed during the Edo period, and the main hall in particular is unique in the prefecture for its Jodo-sect style. The old Amida hall, built in 1686, is notable for its elaborate interior, representing the Pure Land. These structures are designated as important cultural properties of the nation and the prefecture.

The temple's main attraction is the golden "Aizu Buddha." The Amida Nyorai and the accompanying seated statues of Kannon and Seishi are rare in the Tohoku region and represent the formal "Raigo Triad" of the early Kamakura period. The kneeling figures of Kannon and Seishi incorporate elements from the capital and are nationally designated important cultural properties, representing a major example of 13th-century Amida Triad sculptures.

Ganjoji Temple is also known as the "Hydrangea Temple," with beautiful seasonal flowers, such as azaleas, iris, and lotus blossoms, decorating the grounds throughout the year.