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Five-Story Pagodas — Why They Withstand Earthquakes and How to Read Their Structure
The five-story pagoda traces to the Indian stupa, a sacred structure housing relics of the Buddha. This guide explains the earthquake-resistant heart pillar (shinbashira) mechanism and explores Japan's most celebrated pagodas at Horyuji, Toji, Daigoji, Hokanji, and Sensoji.
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Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
一
Origins of the Five-Story Pagoda — From Indian Stupa to Japanese Tower
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二
Earthquake-Resistant Structure — How the Heart Pillar Works
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三
Japan's Most Celebrated Five-Story Pagodas
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四
Comparative Overview of Major Five-Story Pagodas
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五
Pilgrimage Suggestions — One-Day Kyoto Pagoda Circuit
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六
Frequently Asked Questions
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The five-story pagoda enshrines the sharira — the physical relics of Shakyamuni Buddha — in a form that traveled from India’s stupas along the Silk Road through China and the Korean Peninsula to Japan. These structures have stood for over a thousand years, surviving major earthquakes, and their ancient seismic technology continues to inspire modern architecture.
Five-storied pagoda of Horyuji (Ikaruga, Nara) — the oldest surviving wooden tower in the world, approx. 32.5 m tall
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / 663highland
Origins of the Five-Story Pagoda — From Indian Stupa to Japanese Tower
The pagoda traces to 3rd-century BC India. After the Buddha’s death, his remains were divided and enshrined in stupas — hemispherical earth mounds topped with a pillar. As this form traveled through Central Asia and China, it evolved into a multi-story tower (lougeshi style), eventually reaching Japan via the Korean Peninsula.
What does the “five” in five-story pagoda represent?
The five stories symbolize the five great elements (godai) of Buddhist cosmology — earth, water, fire, wind, and space — which together compose all of reality.
Story
Element
Meaning
1st (ground)
Earth
Stability, foundation
2nd
Water
Flow, fertility
3rd
Fire
Passion, transformation
4th
Wind
Movement, expansion
5th (top)
Space/Void
Liberation, emptiness
What is inside a five-story pagoda?
The interior is usually closed to the public. The ground floor typically houses a principal Buddhist image and a heart-stone (shinso) in which sharira (or substitute relics such as sacred jewels or sutras) are interred.
Five-storied pagoda of To-ji (Kyoto) — at approx. 54.8 m, the tallest wooden structure in Japan
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / 663highland
Earthquake-Resistant Structure — How the Heart Pillar Works
Why don’t five-story pagodas collapse in earthquakes?
The secret lies in the shinbashira (heart pillar) — a single central column running from the uppermost story to the ground, not rigidly fixed to the surrounding structure. During an earthquake, the individual floors sway independently while the shinbashira acts as a pendulum counterweight (mass damper), dispersing seismic energy.
This principle inspired the design of Tokyo Skytree in the 1990s. The “seismic control pillar” at the center of Skytree is said to have been modeled on the heart pillar of Horyuji’s pagoda — ancient engineering living on in modern construction.
Is the heart pillar anchored to the ground?
In Horyuji’s pagoda, the base of the heart pillar rests on the heart-stone without being fixed to it. In some pagodas, the pillar is suspended from the second story, effectively floating — creating the pendulum effect that absorbs seismic shock.
Five-storied pagoda of Daigo-ji (Fushimi, Kyoto) — built 951 CE, Kyoto's oldest wooden structure
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / 663highland
Japan’s Most Celebrated Five-Story Pagodas
Horyuji’s Pagoda — World’s Oldest Wooden Five-Story Pagoda
Horyuji (Ikaruga, Nara) in the western precinct includes a pagoda traditionally dated to 607 CE, making it part of the world’s oldest surviving wooden building complex. Standing 32.5m, its characteristic taper (each story’s roof progressively smaller) gives it a stable, elegant profile. The clay sculptures in the ground floor — depicting scenes of the Buddha’s parinirvana — are National Treasures of the early Nara period.
Toji’s Pagoda — Japan’s Tallest Five-Story Pagoda
Toji (Kyooogokokuji) in Kyoto’s pagoda stands 54.8m — Japan’s tallest. It rises above the headquarters of Shingon esoteric Buddhism founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi). The current tower was rebuilt in 1644. Relics are enshrined in the heart-stone, embodying the esoteric Buddhist cosmos. The pagoda’s nighttime illumination is a celebrated feature of the Kyoto skyline.
Daigoji’s Pagoda — Kyoto’s Oldest Wooden Structure
Daigoji (Fushimi, Kyoto) owns a pagoda built in 951 CE — Kyoto Prefecture’s oldest wooden structure. Standing 38m, it has retained much of its original appearance. The temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (“Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto”), and the pagoda is extraordinarily beautiful during cherry blossom season.
Hokanji (Yasaka Pagoda) — Symbol of Higashiyama
Hokanji (Yasaka no To) (Higashiyama, Kyoto) rises 46m above the Higashiyama townscape. Traditional legend attributes its founding to Prince Shotoku. The current tower dates from a 15th-century reconstruction. The view from the stone-paved lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka is one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights.
Sensoji’s Pagoda — Tokyo’s Downtown Tower
Sensoji (Taito, Tokyo) has a pagoda standing 53.32m. The original was destroyed in World War II; the present reinforced concrete structure was rebuilt in 1973 in traditional stylistic form. Together with Tokyo Skytree, it defines the Asakusa skyline.
Five-storied pagoda of Hokanji (Yasaka-no-to), Higashiyama, Kyoto — a 46 m tower rising above the historic stone-paved lanes
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Fg2
Comparative Overview of Major Five-Story Pagodas
Pagoda
Location
Height
Built
Notable
Horyuji
Ikaruga, Nara
32.5m
607 CE (rebuilt)
World’s oldest wooden; National Treasure
Toji
Kyoto
54.8m
9th c. (1644 rebuild)
Japan’s tallest; National Treasure
Daigoji
Fushimi, Kyoto
38m
951 CE
Kyoto’s oldest wooden structure
Hokanji
Higashiyama, Kyoto
46m
15th c. rebuild
Symbol of Higashiyama
Sensoji
Taito, Tokyo
53.32m
1973 (rebuilt)
Tokyo landmark
Five-storied pagoda of Senso-ji (Taito, Tokyo) — rebuilt 1973, with Buddha relics from Sri Lanka enshrined in the topmost story
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Kakidai
Pilgrimage Suggestions — One-Day Kyoto Pagoda Circuit
1.
Morning: Toji — Japan’s tallest pagoda and Shingon esoteric Buddhist atmosphere
2.
Midday: Lunch near Fushimi Inari
3.
Afternoon: Daigoji — Kyoto’s oldest pagoda; spectacular during cherry blossom season (early April)
4.
Evening: Hokanji (Yasaka Pagoda) — enjoy the dusk atmosphere of Higashiyama
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you enter the interior of a five-story pagoda?
Most pagoda interiors are not open to the general public, but special limited-time openings occur at Horyuji, Toji, and others. Check individual temple websites or local tourism information.
What is the difference between a three-story and a five-story pagoda?
Both are multi-story Buddhist memorial towers enshrining relics, but the five-story version is generally considered more prestigious and is typically taller. Many three-story pagodas are also National Treasures.
How many UNESCO World Heritage five-story pagodas are there?
The pagodas at Horyuji (Nara), Toji (Kyoto), and Daigoji (Kyoto) are all UNESCO World Heritage properties. Horyuji is listed as “Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area”; Toji and Daigoji are listed under “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
What is the metal finial (sorin) on top of a pagoda?
The top of a five-story pagoda is crowned by a sorin — a metal ornamental spire. The standard has nine rings (ku-rin) surmounted by a “water flame” (suien), dragon wheel (ryusha), and wish-granting jewel (hoju).
Are Buddhist images enshrined on every floor?
Typically only the ground floor houses a principal image; upper floors are usually empty. Horyuji’s pagoda features clay sculptures on its ground floor depicting four scenes from the Buddha’s final days, arranged on all four sides (“four-sided clay images”).
Last updated: April 25, 2026
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Author
Hijiri（ひじり）
Shrines & Temples
Toku editorial team — shrines and temples. Former designer who reads temple architecture and gardens through an aesthetic lens, quietly tracing the lineages of sects and doctrines.
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Visit Related Places
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2. Toji (Kyoogokokuji)
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3. Daigoji
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46-meter pagoda rebuilt by Ashikaga Yoshinori — Higashiyama's iconic landmark founded by Prince Shotoku
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5. Sensoji
Tokyo's oldest temple — the Kannon sanctuary of Kaminarimon and Nakamise
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