The Kamaishi Daikannon, one of the "Three Great Giant Buddhas of Tohoku," overlooks Kamaishi Bay [Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture]

There are approximately 16 Buddha statues known as "giant Buddhas" built throughout Japan

There are no clear criteria for what constitutes a "giant Buddha," but Yasuo Tsugawa , a researcher in urban geography, commercial geography, and landmark studies, and professor emeritus at Takasaki University of Economics, states in his book "Religious Landmarks and Their Requirements - Using the Great Kannon Statue as an Example -" that "giant Buddhas are 25 meters or taller."

Furthermore, novelistTamakiMiyata, in her book "On a Sunny Day, I Go to See the Giant Buddha," states that"there is no strict reason, but a rough guideline is that it must be bigger than Ultraman,"defining anything over 40 meters as a "giant Buddha."

In any case, there are no clear standards for what constitutes a "giant Buddha" when it comes to a giant Buddha or a huge structure that is the object of worship. It's up to each individual to use their own standards

However, its enormous size has certainly become a symbol of the city, regardless of faith or religion

This time,Kamaishi Daikannon," one of the "giant Buddha statues, along with two other "giant Buddha statues" located in the Tohoku region.

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Three Giant Buddhas in Tohoku

Since I live in Miyagi Prefecture, when I hear the term "giant Buddha," the first thing thatthe "Sendai Daikannon."But did you know that there are three "giant Buddhas" in the Tohoku region?

Daikanmitsuji Temple "Sendai Daikannon (Sendai Tendō Byakue Daikannon)"

The "Sendai Daikannon," located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture , was completed in 1991. It is a standing statue, stands 100 meters tall, and is classified as a "white-robed Kannon ." Its official name is "Sendai Tendō Byakue Daikannon," and it is located on the grounds of Daikanmitsuji Temple in Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture . It is affectionately known as "Nakayama no Kannon-sama" by the locals

It is possible to tour the interior of the Sendai Daikannon, which is divided into 12 floors and has a 60m high atrium. The 12th floor has observation windows on the front and back of the Daikannon, from which you can see the city center and Izumigatake, respectively. On a clear day, you can even see all the way to the Oshika Peninsula, which is about 60km away in a straight line

There is also an elevator inside the building that takes you directly to the 12th floor

The construction was inspired by the deep religious faith of the local people

The construction of the Sendai Daikannon is said to have begun in 1964 when the local Sendai company Futaba Group began developing large residential areas and leisure facilities in the Nakayama area. The group's leader, businessman Sugawara Man, made a wish to erect a large Kannon statue out of his faith, believing that "the success of his business was due to the Kannon he worshiped on a daily basis," and out of his desire to create a famous landmark in Sendai

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Hokokuji Temple, Aizu Branch Temple: "Aizu Jibo Daikannon"

The "Aizu Jibo Daikannon," located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture , was completed in 1987. It is a standing statue, standing 57 meters tall, and is characterized by its rounded form and the way it gently holds a baby in both arms. Originally, the land and the giant Buddha were owned by Tsurukame Construction Co., Ltd., but the land, building, and management rights have now been transferred to the religious corporation Hokokuji Aizu Branch.

It is also possible to tour the inside of Aizu Jiboshi Daikannon. Inside are 10,000 Buddha statues, 1/25 scale golden statues, and the 12 zodiac charms enshrined as principal images. At chest height (40 meters), there are observation windows scattered throughout the temple offering views of the Aizu townscape, the rural landscape of the basin, Mt. Bandai, the Iide mountain range, and more

Furthermore, Aizu Village, where the Aizu Jibo Daikannon is located, is a tourist destination with a vast Japanese garden spanning 60,000 tsubo (approximately 200,000 square meters). The garden is planted with seasonal plants such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, lotus flowers, daffodils, hydrangeas, camellias, and plum trees.

Built as a prayer for peace

The 57-meter-tall Aizu Jibo Daikannon, built to pray for world peace, was constructed in 1986 by the late Shonosuke Haga of Tsurukame Construction Co., Ltd., who founded "Aizu Village" to pray for world peace and spent a total of 1 billion yen to build the "Aizu Jibo Daikannon."

Within the Aizu Village grounds, in addition to the "Aizu Jibo Daikannon," there is also a 13.4-meter-tall reclining Buddha statue, the "Shakyamuni Buddha Reclining Statue," which is said to be the same "Reclining Buddha" that was exhibited at the Sri Lanka Pavilion of the 1985 Tsukuba Expo .

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Myohozan Sekio Zenji Temple "Kamaishi Daikannon"

The "Kamaishi Daikannon," located in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture , was completed in 1970. It is a standing statue, a type of Kannon holding a fish basket, and stands 48.5 meters tall, making it the oldest "giant Buddha" in the Tohoku region.

was erectedIshioji Temple. Inside, there is a spiral staircase, and from the right forearm, through the fish section, to the left elbow, there is an observation deck.

Kamaishi Daikannon is built on a small hill on the Kamasaki Peninsula in Ohira Town, but there is an escalator on the hillside, making it easy to visit the temple

Kamaishi Daikannon: Praying for peace in the spirit world and the world of the living

The white statue of Kannon holding a fish basket, known as "Kamaishi Daikannon," standing on the Kamasaki Peninsula in Ohira Town, was erected in April 1970 at the behest of the 17th abbot of Myohozan Sekio Zenji Temple, Untei Seiro

Our main focus is on guiding the souls of those who have died for various reasons to enlightenment and attain enlightenment through the compassion of Kannon Bodhisattva, and on relieving the suffering of those living in this world, and we pray for peace in both the living and the dead realms

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I actually visited the Kamaishi Daikannon at Sekiozenji Temple on Mt. Myoho

I introduced three "giant Buddhas" above, but this time I visited "Kamaishi Daikannon" in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture. Personally, I don't have any strong religious beliefs, and to be honest, I only visited because "my family grave is there...", so the reason I visited was simply for sightseeing

However, I had heard before that there was a huge Kannon statue in Kamaishi, so I was excited and nervous as I wrote this clumsy report, but please bear with me for a little longer

Welcome [Kamaishi Daikannon]

The Kamaishi Daikannon is located in Ohira-cho, Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, on the Kamasaki Peninsula in Ohira-cho, just a stone's throw from Iwate Prefectural Kamaishi Commercial and Industrial High School

The grounds are spacious, and in addition to the Kamaishi Daikannon statue, there is a main gate, a Fudo Hall, a stupa, and a free parking lot large enough for 15 large buses and 150 passenger cars

The thing that surprised me the most when I visited without any prior information wasa shopping street.

Kamaishi Daikannon Nakamise Street

As you can see from the photo above, the area is now quite run-down, with many shops having closed down. However, it seems that it was once a bustling and vibrant place, much like the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, Tokyo

I want to make it clear that not all the shops have closed,the Kamaishi Daikannon Nakamise shopping streetdisappeared.

Even now, we can see several shops that have been renovated and reopened by local successors

All of the stores have stylish and appealing exteriors. Their websites are also very well-designed, so if you have time, please take a look at them via the link below

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Go past Nakamise Street and head to the temple gate

From this gate, you can ascend to Sekio Zenji Temple and Kamaishi Daikannon. On either side of the gate are two Nio statues, A and Un, created by Kyoto Buddhist sculptors Sakuma Hakuun and Sakuma Keiun, and completed in July 1976

After passing through the temple gate and paying the entrance fee at the ticket office, I headed towards the Kamaishi Daikannon! But then I saw the entrance right in front of me, and was surprised to see what looked like an indoor staircase to protect from the rain and wind... When I went inside..

You'll see an escalator right in front of you

It's filled with love. You can walk there, but of course I take the escalator. I think of it as a kind of attraction

After climbing the 37m long escalator, the back of Kamaishi Daikannon appears before your eyes

Kamaishi Daikannon

Kamaishi Daikannon is located 120 meters above sea level, with Kamaishi Bay stretching out before you. In the distance, you can see the magnificent ria coastline of Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, as far as Mada Cape and the Ozaki Peninsula

Furthermore, in 2016, Kamaishi Daikannon was selected as a "Lover's Sanctuary" as a romantic spot suitable for marriage proposals. There is a monument designed by a woman from Kamaishi and a "Wishing Bell," and many people visit to take pictures in front of the monument or ring the bell while making a wish for their love to be fulfilled, making it a new power spot for finding love.

Although I am visiting alone, I have experienced the love of Kamaishi Dai Kannon and enjoyed Kamaishi Bay at my leisure, so now I am ready to dive into the womb of Kamaishi Dai Kannon

The Kamaishi Daikannon, one of the 33 Kannon, is a representation of the Gyoran Kannon

The Kamaishi Daikannon is"Gyoran Kannon," which is one of the thirty-three Kannon Bodhisattvas. This information is quoted from the official Kamaishi Daikannon website.

It is said that..

Once inside the temple, there is no elevator and you must use the stairs to view the temple. There are also toilets on the first floor for men and on the second floor for women, so we recommend using them first

Inside the womb, there are 33 Kannon statues on display, each carved from a single piece of camphor wood in the hatchet carving style, depicting the various forms that Kannon takes to save all living beings

And on each floor from the second to the eleventh floor, wooden carvings of the Seven Lucky Gods are enshrined. Hmm? The eleventh floor? That's right. You can only climb the stairs to the eleventh floor of Kamaishi Daikannon and the observation deck on the twelfth floor

The width of the stairs varies and there are some narrow sections. The same stairs are used for going down, so please be careful when passing other visitors

Climbing up to the 12th floorthe "Fish Basket Observation Deck," where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kamaishi Bay from atop the fish held in the hands of the Fish Basket Kannon statue. However, the observation space is not very large, and due to the iron railing barricade, I, being afraid of heights, could barely manage to take one photo. Those who love heights and spectacular views will surely be very satisfied.

This is your final destination, and all that's left to do is go down the stairs you came up

There is also a shop at the base of Kamaishi Daikannon, so we recommend purchasing some souvenirs after your visit

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summary

This concludes our report on Kamaishi Daikannon

All Kannon statues (giant Buddha statues) are objects of religion and faith, and should not be taken lightly, but when you research "giant Buddha statues," you will find that none of them are affiliated with any sect and therefore do not allow visitors

It might be a good idea to visit as part of your sightseeing trip, and as a kind of theme park

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