Ryuunji Temple is part of the Soto Zen school of Japanese Buddhism, and worships Shakyamuni Buddha. Drawn onto the ceiling of the main temple is a large dragon. Created by Kano Korenobu, this ink painting is over 600 years old, and holds a special place within the temple. It utilizes an optical illusion that makes it seem as though the dragon’s gaze never leaves you, no matter what angle you look up from. This lends to its name "Happounirami-ippiki-dairyu" or "A dragon whom watches from all sides."
In 1836, Matsudaira Suono-kami was forced to step down as lord of Hamada Domain and relocated to Fukushima Prefecture. Due to this, the family temple of the Matsudaira Suono-kami family was moved from Ebisu-cho in Hamada city, and rebuilt in Misumi town in 1840, where it’s utilized as the main temple of Ryuunji Temple still to this day. The expansive garden in front of the main gates was created by transforming the existing terraced rice fields into a Japanese-style garden in 1970. With a gorgeous view, Ryuunji Temple is also a great place to see red Momiji trees in the fall.