日本6大奇異建築速查：大阪舞洲工場、霊友会釈迦殿、PL塔、地下神殿、會津さざえ堂、三德山投入堂交通與參觀攻略

This candy-castle-looking building actually incinerates trash every day; this underground temple only truly goes to work during torrential rain. Japan has many buildings that look like tourist spots from afar, but reveal different purposes up close. Below, we've compiled six highly discussed, peculiar buildings: the highlights, transportation, visiting requirements, and costs for each—everything you need to know before you go.

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Quick Look at 6 Peculiar Buildings in Japan

1. Osaka Maishima Incineration Plant: The Incinerator That Looks Like a Candy Castle

The red and yellow stripes aren't candy—they are the designer's representation of the fire inside the incinerator. Beneath the colorful chimneys, trash is processed every single day. The Austrian artist who designed it, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, even gave himself the Japanese name "Hyakusui" (Hundred Waters); sadly, he passed away before the plant was completed in 2001.

• Address: 1-2-48 Hokko-Shiratsu, Konohana-ku, Osaka.
• Transport: Take the Maishima Active Bus from JR Sakurajima Station to "Kankyo Shisetsu Kumiai-mae"; check bus schedules first.
• Visiting: Exterior and promenade are open for viewing; inside is free, 10-day prior booking required.

2. Reiyukai Shakaden: The Black "Battleship" of Azabudai

This black building in Tokyo's Azabudai looks like a battleship from a distance. The design actually represents two hands pressed together in prayer, with 28 V-shaped columns supporting the roof, corresponding to the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra. While the outside looks like sci-fi, the main hall's ceiling features a golden sea of clouds.

• Address: 1-7-8 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
• Transport: About a 3-minute walk from Exit 5 of Kamiyacho Station.
• Visiting: Exterior viewable from the street; no set schedule for general tourists to enter the hall—confirm with Reiyukai before entering.

3. PL Peace Tower: The 180-Meter White Tower

This 180-meter white tower is not a signal tower. It was completed in the same year as the Tower of the Sun, but its full name is so long it barely fits on a screen: "The Great Peace Prayer Tower for the Souls of Victims of All Wars and All Religions." It was built to memorialize war dead across all religions and generations.

• Location: PL Holy Land, Tondabayashi, Osaka.
• Transport: Take a bus from Tondabayashi Station North Exit towards PL Hospital, then navigate to the tower; bus fare is required for the hospital bus.
• Visiting: Primarily exterior viewing; check with the group regarding tower interior access.

4. G-Cans: The Underground Temple That Only Works During Torrential Rain

22 meters beneath Saitama, there is a "temple" with 59 giant columns. Above it is a soccer field; below, it's a flood prevention tank. Each column weighs about 500 tons, supporting the ground above and resisting the buoyancy of groundwater. When all four pumps are operating at full capacity, they can drain an amount of water equivalent to a 25-meter swimming pool every second.

• Address: 720 Kamikanasaki, Kasukabe, Saitama.
• Transport: 25-30 min walk from Minami-Sakurai Stn; note that some buses don't run on Sundays.
• Visiting: Booking required for underground temple visit, ¥1,200 / ~55 mins; includes ~100 stairs, Japanese guided tour; route may change during operations.

5. Aizu Sazaedo: The Mini-Pilgrimage of the Double Helix

Located on Mt. Iimori in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, this hall looks like a conch shell from afar. Inside are two non-intersecting spiral ramps: you walk up one, while another group walks down, so you never cross paths. It used to house 33 Kannon statues along the way; completing a circuit feels like finishing a mini-pilgrimage.

• Address: Iimoriyama, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima.
• Transport: 5-min walk from "Iimoriyama-shita" bus stop.
• Visiting: Tickets available at entry, adult ¥400; Apr–Nov 8:15 to sunset / Dec–Mar 9:00–16:00; be careful of the steepness of the ramps.

6. Mitokusan Nageire-do: The Temple You Can't Enter Even After Hiking

Tottori’s Mitokusan Nageire-do is wedged into a cliffside cavity. Legend says a monk shrunk the temple and threw it up the mountain; however, wood carbon dating tells us it dates back to the late Heian period—how it was constructed remains a mystery. To get close, you need a partner and must pass a shoe check. Even after a difficult hike, you can only pray from the outside. If you don't want to hike, you can view it from the remote worship area at the base.

• Address: 1010 Mitoku, Misasa, Tottori.
• Transport: ~40 min bus from Kurayoshi Stn; check the timetable.
• Visiting: You can hike to the front of the hall during the opening season but cannot enter; pairs required and shoe check mandatory; may be closed in rain or snow, remote worship available below.

FAQ

How much does it cost to visit the Osaka Maishima Incineration Plant?

Entry is free, but you must book 10 days in advance. The exterior and promenade can be viewed freely.

Can I enter the Reiyukai Shakaden?

The exterior can be viewed from the street. There is no fixed schedule for general tourists to enter; please confirm with Reiyukai before attempting to enter.

How do I book a visit to G-Cans?

Booking is required for the underground temple; the cost is ¥1,200, lasting about 55 minutes. Be prepared for about 100 stairs and a Japanese-language tour; routes may change during operational periods.

What are the opening hours for Aizu Sazaedo?

From April to November, it is open from 8:15 until sunset; from December to March, 9:00 to 16:00. Entry is ¥400 for adults; the ramps are steep, so please walk slowly for safety.

Can I go inside the Mitokusan Nageire-do?

No. During the opening season, you can hike to the front of the building but can only worship from the outside. You must have a partner and pass a shoe check; the site may close during rain or snow.

Reminder Before You Go

Transportation schedules, opening hours, and visiting arrangements may change; please check the official websites for the latest updates before you depart.