Shiramizu Amidado, built in 1160 by the widow of a regional lord to pray for her late husband’s soul, is a National Treasure and one of only a handful of surviving Heian-period Pure Land Buddhist temple gardens in Japan. The hall sits on an island in a lotus pond, meant to evoke the Buddhist paradise of the Pure Land, with the wooden structure and its seated Amida Buddha reflected serenely in the water — a rare, intact glimpse of 12th-century religious architecture.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Iwaki, Fukushima |
| Hours | ~8:30–16:30 |
| Admission | Around ¥500 |
| Time needed | 30–45 min |
| Best time | Spring–summer (lotus blooms); autumn foliage |
What to See
- The National Treasure hall, built in 1160.
- The seated Amida Buddha statue inside.
- A Pure Land-style pond garden, one of few surviving in Japan.
- Lotus blooms in the pond during summer.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with a coastal drive along Fukushima’s Iwaki area.
- Pair with Fukushima Peach orchard visits nearby.
- Read our Fukushima overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR Joban Line to Izumi Station, then a short taxi or walk.
- By car: easily reached from central Iwaki.
Tips
Visit in early morning for the calmest reflections on the pond. The temple is quieter than Fukushima’s better-known sites, making it a peaceful stop off the main tourist trail.
