My experience visiting Aizu Spiral Hall

#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025 The Aizu Spiral Hall (さざえ堂) that I visited this time was one of the most surprising discoveries I made in the Aizu area of ​​Fukushima Prefecture. This wooden temple, built in 1796, not only has a unique double helix structure, but also contains rich history and religious culture. It is an extremely charming architectural heritage. Architectural Features and Visiting Experience The most amazing thing about the Spiral Hall is its internal structure - it adopts a double spiral ramp design. After entering from the entrance, worshippers will walk along a slowly rising ramp and finally come down another ramp. During the whole process, they will not pass by other visitors at all, forming a unique "no-looking back worship route". This design is quite rare in the world, and one can't help but admire the ingenuity of the craftsmen at that time. As you walk up the ramp, you can see traces of the 33 Guanyin statues that were once enshrined on the walls. Although the statues have been removed, you can still feel the importance of this building as a Buddhist worship hall. In addition, the wooden structure inside the building is intricate yet maintains a solid balance, and every step makes people admire the exquisite traditional Japanese woodworking technology. Historical and cultural background The Aizu Spiral Hall was originally a part of the Shoso-ji Temple. Its design purpose was to allow worshippers to visit the Thirty-three Guanyin smoothly without having to go around the entire mountain area. This building also witnessed the fusion of religious beliefs and architectural craftsmanship in the Edo period, and was transformed into a cultural heritage after the Meiji Restoration, and eventually became an important national cultural property of Japan. Visiting experience Overall, although Aizu Spiral Hall is small in scale, its architectural design and historical value are extremely unique. Walking on this slope that never turns back, you can not only feel the religious piety of the people at that time, but also appreciate the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Japanese craftsmen. If I have the chance to visit Aizu again, I would like to come and see this historic building in different seasons and experience its different looks as the seasons change. For those who like to explore Japan's traditional culture and architectural wonders, this place is definitely worth a visit!