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Myosen-ji Five-Story Pagoda: Niigata's Only Pagoda and Sado's Nichiren Temples
Myosen-ji in Sado City is a Nichiren temple best known for Niigata Prefecture's only five-story pagoda, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property rebuilt in the Edo period. It is the centerpiece of a Sado Nichiren-temple pilgrimage that also includes Konpon-ji, where Nichiren himself was exiled.
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Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
1
History and the Five-Story Pagoda
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2
Grounds Highlights
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3
Sado Nichiren Temple Circuit
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4
Summary
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5
FAQ
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Five-story pagoda of Myosen-ji, Niigata's only surviving pagoda and an Important Cultural Property
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / photo by Yamaguchi Yoshiaki
Myosen-ji Temple in Sado City houses Niigata Prefecture’s only five-story pagoda — a nationally designated Important Cultural Property rebuilt in 1814 (Bunka 11). Standing about 24 meters tall, the pagoda is Sado Island’s most iconic architectural heritage and the centerpiece of a Nichiren Buddhist temple pilgrimage across the island.
History and the Five-Story Pagoda
A Nichiren Temple with Roots in Exile
Myosen-ji grew from the Nichiren Buddhist missionary activity that followed Nichiren’s exile to Sado in 1271. Nichiren’s devoted disciple Abubō Nittoku, a native of Sado, laid the foundations for the island’s Nichiren faith, and his mausoleum is enshrined at Myosen-ji.
The Five-Story Pagoda
The five-story pagoda rebuilt in 1814 is the sole surviving pagoda in Niigata Prefecture. Its harmonious proportions in traditional Japanese style reflect the skilled craftsmanship of Edo-period Sado and the deep faith of its patrons.
Myosen-ji five-story pagoda in September 2023, rising 24 meters against the autumn sky
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / photo by nekotank
Grounds Highlights
The main hall (enshrining the Nichiren Dai-Mandala) and the pagoda face each other across the precincts, creating a powerful architectural dialogue. The Abubō Nittoku mausoleum in the grounds marks the historical origin of Sado’s Nichiren tradition.
Main hall of Myosen-ji enshrining the Nichiren Dai-Mandala
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / photo by Yamaguchi Yoshiaki
Sado Nichiren Temple Circuit
Combine Myosen-ji with Konpon-ji — the temple on the site where Nichiren himself lived during his exile — for the heart of the Sado Nichiren pilgrimage. Myosho-ji stands near the earlier exile site at Tsukahara, and Rengebuji is a Shingon temple famous for hydrangeas.
Konpon-ji Temple on Sado, where Nichiren spent two years of his exile
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by Torbenbrinker
Sado Kokubunji, founded by imperial edict in the Nara period, represents Buddhism on Sado before Nichiren’s era — combining both sites gives a sweeping view of over a millennium of Sado Buddhism.
Precincts of Konpon-ji Temple, Sado (May 2022) — a sacred site of Nichiren Buddhism
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / photo by inunami
Summary
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Myosen-ji — Only five-story pagoda in Niigata Prefecture (Sado City)
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Konpon-ji — Nichiren’s exile site on Sado (Sado City)
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Myosho-ji — Nichiren temple near early exile site (Sado City)
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Rengebuji — Shingon temple, famous hydrangea garden (Sado City)
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Sado Kokubunji — Ancient kokubunji on Sado (Sado City)
FAQ
When was Myosen-ji’s five-story pagoda built?
The current pagoda was rebuilt in 1814 (Bunka 11) and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. At about 24 meters tall, it is the only surviving five-story pagoda in Niigata Prefecture.
How do I get to Sado Island?
Take the Sado Kisen ferry from Niigata Port (about 2.5 hours) or the jetfoil (about 1 hour) to Ryotsu Port. Ferries also run from Naoetsu Port. A rental car is the most convenient way to get around the island.
Last updated: May 29, 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
History truly comes alive when you visit in person. Choose your next destination from the related sites and pilgrimage courses below.
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1. Myosenji Temple (Sado)
A Nichiren sect temple with the only five-story pagoda in Niigata Prefecture (a National Important Cultural Property), founded by a devotee who sheltered Nichiren during his exile.
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2. Konponji Temple (Sado)
The Nichiren sect temple on Sado where Nichiren primarily resided during exile and composed major works including the Kaimoku-sho.
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3. Myoshoji Temple (Sado)
A Nichiren sect ancient temple associated with his exile on Sado, included in the pilgrimage route of sacred Nichiren sites on the island.
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4. Rengebuji Temple
A Shingon ancient temple said to have been founded by Kukai, holding one of Japan's three greatest Kongokai mandalas and preserving many Important Cultural Properties.
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5. Sado Kokubun-ji Temple Ruins
A National Historic Site preserving the foundation stones of a seven-story pagoda from the provincial temple founded in 741 by decree of Emperor Shomu.
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