有珠善光寺 / Usu Zenkouji Temple

有珠善光寺（位於伊達市）創建於西元826年，是深具歷史的寺院。在1804年時，由當時的日本政府（江戶幕府）訂立為北海道（當時北海道被稱作蝦夷地區）主要三大寺院之一。附近就是有珠山，曾就近幾度受到火山噴發的影響。然而本堂等主要建築並沒有遭受過重大的災害。是國家指定史跡。

The Zenkouji Buddhist sect was founded in 826 in Honshu. In 1804, the government at that time (Edo Bakufu, the shogunate government of Edo Period) designated Usu Zenkouji Temple (Date City) as one of three authentic temples in Ezo. Ezo is the old name of Hokkaido. Mt. Usu is nearby, as the name suggests. It’s a volcano, and has erupted sporadically. Fortunately, the main building of this temple has not been damaged in any of the eruptions. This temple is now designated as a historic site of Japan. There are important Buddhist statues and other ornaments in Houmotsu Kan, which means treasure house in Japanese.