Tomyodo Temple
[Intro Version]
Tomyodo Temple was built in 1730 to pray for the recovery of the lord of Hachinohe, who was afflicted with smallpox, as well as to ensure safety at sea, serving as a lighthouse to guide passing ships. Please scan the QR code for more information.
[Full Version]
Tomyodo Temple was built in 1730 to pray for the recovery of the lord of Hachinohe, who was afflicted with smallpox, as well as to ensure safety at sea. The structure, whose name means “sacred lantern hall,” served as a lighthouse to guide ships as they passed through Hachinohe Bay and along the Kominato Coast. Considered a precursor of more conventional lighthouses, it was fueled using rapeseed oil, which was paid for by the rulers of Hachinohe.
Tomyodo sits at an elevation of about 250 meters, and its light is said to have been visible from the coast, some four kilometers away. While the surrounding forests block the view today, they make for a pleasant hike to and from the temple.