🌲 Zuihoden: Tomb of the One-Eyed Dragon

We arrived here in the afternoon, the sun was setting and the wind was cool. The cemetery is located on a hill west of Sendai City. It's a fairly steep climb up a series of stone steps.

The main building, Zuihōden, was built in 1637 after Masamune's death. It's a beautiful, unusual cemetery, unlike any I've ever been to. It's littered with gold, red, blue, and green motifs, but it's not overwhelming.

It's a quiet beauty.

Before entering, there's a dragon pond where you can wash your hands—a common feature at Japanese temples. It's a ritual of cleansing your mind and body before entering the sacred grounds.

Continuing from Zuihōden, before descending, you'll come across two more tombs: Gyosenden and Zennoden, dedicated to Masamune's children and grandchildren, Tadamune and Tsunamune. Both buildings look similar, painted in gold and blue.
Japanese people respect generations, even those who passed away young.

All three buildings were burned during World War II and rebuilt in 1985. They now look pristine, surrounded by tall pine trees. Light filtering through the fallen leaves casts shadows on the stone floor. Walking quietly, I felt like… this isn't a cemetery that's sad. It's peaceful, beautiful, and filled with something indescribable.

📍 Travel Information:
– Open daily 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (Closed December 29–January 31)
– From Sendai Castle, it's a 10-minute drive or take the Loople Bus and get off at Zuihōden-mae stop.
– If you're planning to visit, we recommend allowing 1–1.5 hours to avoid rushing.

#Sendai #TohokuAutumnRoadTrip

Post by Mr. Choon | Oct 30, 2025