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Description
On September 1, 2026, a fire broke out at Seianji Temple (清安寺) in the Asa district of Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi Prefecture. A witness reported the temple on fire around 10:40 a.m. About 11 fire vehicles responded, and the fire was extinguished around 5:27 p.m. after roughly seven hours. Contemporary reports said the temple was expected to have been completely destroyed, with the main hall believed burned. Four residents, including two teenagers, lived at the temple but were all away when the fire began; no injuries were reported. Police and fire authorities are investigating the cause.
Key facts
When
- Date
- Sep 1, 2026
- Time
- around 10:40 a.m.
- Extinguished
- around 5:27 p.m.
- Duration
- about 7 hours
Site
- Location
- Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi
- Founded
- Medieval origins (sources differ: 931 / 1266)
Impact
- Casualties
- 0 deaths, 0 injuries
- Damage
- Main hall believed completely destroyed; temple expected to be a total loss
- Residents
- 4 away at the time (incl. 2 teens)
Response
- Fire vehicles
- about 11
- Cause
- Under investigation
Timeline
~10:40 a.m.
A witness reports that Seianji Temple is on fire.
Late morning
Firefighters arrive; about 11 fire vehicles are deployed.
Afternoon
Firefighting continues amid significant flames and smoke.
5:27 p.m.
The fire is reported extinguished after about seven hours. Authorities begin investigating the cause.
History
Seianji is a historic Buddhist temple in Asa, Sanyo-Onoda. Yamaguchi tourism materials associate it with the Ouchi clan and the Mejiro Fudo Myoo, described as one of three notable Fudo Myoo statues in Japan, and give a founding year of 931. The Jodo-shu temple directory describes origins in the mid-Kamakura period as a Shingon Fudo temple, later converting to Jodo-shu in 1615; the name Seianji is linked to the memorial name of the wife of Mori clan retainer Fukuhara Echigo-no-kami Hirotoshi. Contemporary fire reporting citing the former Sanyo Town history places the temple's history from 1266. Because these dates differ, Japan Fire Map describes Seianji as a historic temple with origins dating back at least to the medieval period rather than treating one founding year as definitive. Further information is needed on which religious objects, documents, artworks, or architectural elements survived the fire.
Before the Fire
Before — Google Street View
Imagery © Google
After
Fire at Seianji Temple main hall, September 1, 2026
TBS NEWS DIG · Source
Location
1509 Asa, Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi 757-0001
Sources
NHK
Sanyo-Onoda: Seianji Temple destroyed by fire; no injuriesSep 1, 2026 · ja
KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting
Temple fire in Sanyo-Onoda; four residents were away; no injuriesSep 1, 2026 · ja
FNN Prime Online
Fire at Seianji Temple in Sanyo-Onoda; heavy flames and smoke; no injuriesSep 1, 2026 · ja
TBS NEWS DIG
Fire at Seianji Temple in Sanyo-Onoda; main hall appears fully destroyedSep 1, 2026 · ja
TYS / TBS NEWS DIG
Seianji main hall believed destroyed; extinguished after about seven hoursSep 1, 2026 · ja
Yamaguchi Tourism
Seianji TempleSep 1, 2026 · ja
Jodo-shu temple directory
SeianjiSep 1, 2026 · ja
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