A popular spot for viewing autumn leaves and cosmos! Highlights of Dazaifu City's "Kanzeonji Temple" (Fukuoka Prefecture)

These days, we are receiving reports of autumn leaves from all over the country.

Shrines and temples surrounded by nature often become scenic spots for viewing autumn leaves.

However, it would be a waste to go to a shrine or temple and just enjoy nature before going home!

I, Tsubaki King, who has a Level 1 Buddhist Certification (※), will give you a super simple explanation, so be sure to learn about the history and cultural assets of shrines and temples!

This time, we will introduce Kanzeonji Temple in Dazaifu City.

It is known for the beauty of its autumn leaves, but it is also an amazing place housing many Buddhist statues that rival those in Kyoto and Nara.

Kanzeonji Temple (Dazaifu City), a temple with over 1,300 years of history

Image: Mr.tsubaking

Kanzeonji Temple is located a 10-minute walk from Gojo Station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line.

There is a bus stop called "Kanzeonji-mae" on the Dazaifu City community bus "Mahoroba-go", and there is also a free parking lot (for about 20 cars), so it is easily accessible.

This temple was built around 670 AD, over 1,350 years ago.

Currently, only a few halls and a treasure house remain, but the temple once covered an area of about three blocks, or about 900,000 square meters. It was a vast temple, more than 10 times the size of the Mizuho PayPay Dome, and it is said that it took about 80 years to complete.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

The temple belongs to the Tendai sect, and the main hall enshrines the principal image, a wooden standing statue of Shokannon.

The benefits of Kannon Bodhisattva (another name for Seigan-kannon) are known to include removing hardships and curing illnesses, but in fact it has many other benefits as well, and it could even be said to be "omnipotent."

The name Kannon means "listening carefully to (watching) the voices of people in trouble," so he is a Buddha who will lend a helping hand when you are in trouble.

You can't leave without seeing this! "Treasure House" lined with giant Buddha statues

Image: Mr.tsubaking

One thing you definitely don't want to miss at Kanzeonji Temple is the Treasure House (open from 9am to 5pm, admission until 4:30pm, admission fee 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school and university students, 150 yen for elementary and junior high school students).

Once you pay the admission fee and step inside, you'll likely gasp in amazement.

There are three giant Buddha statues towering over the temple, each about 5 meters tall! Compare that to me, who is 184cm tall, and you can get an idea of their size.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

In the center, the statue with a frightening face is the "Wooden Standing Bato Kannon Statue."

It is said that the reason for his frightening face is that it "expresses an expression of wanting to destroy the suffering and misfortune in your life with the power of anger."

It seems that it will eat away all the bad things just like a horse eats grass, and will powerfully grant blessings such as prayers for victory, success in exams, and good health.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

On either side are the "Wooden Standing Statue of Eleven-Headed Kannon" (left) and the "Wooden Standing Statue of Acalanatha Kannon" (right).

Each one has 10 faces around the top of its head, making a total of 11 faces when combined with the face on the body of the doll. This represents the wish to "save everyone in the world without letting them be overlooked."

Even if you see these three statues without any prior knowledge of Buddhist statues or Buddhism, you will find yourself clasping your hands together in appreciation of their size and the splendor of their carvings. Such is their overwhelming presence.

The precious Daikoku-sama and the five heroes in a group! Buddhist statues you should check out in the "Treasure House"

The three giant Buddha statues are not the only things enshrined in the Treasure House.

Among the many large Buddha statues lined up, it may even seem "plain," but one thing you should definitely check out is the "Wooden Standing Statue of Daikokuten."

Image: Mr.tsubaking

Daikokuten is one of the Seven Lucky Gods (the god who holds the magic mallet). Many people probably imagine him as a plump, happy, smiling figure.

However, the Buddha statue enshrined here is a far cry from that image, depicting the "old Daikokuten" before he became the smiling Daikokuten. It is a very precious thing!

Originally an Indian god called "Mahakala", he became known in Japan as "Daikokuten", the great god of darkness, as "maha" means "great" and "kala" means "black". He is said to have taken on the familiar smiling appearance we see today during the Kamakura and Edo periods.

Known for granting bountiful harvests, this statue also protects restaurants, so if you want to keep eating delicious food, this is a statue you should definitely pray to!

The group of five, perfectly coordinated like heroes, also catches your eye.

They are the "Wooden Seated Statue of Amida Nyorai" and the "Wooden Standing Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings."

Image: Mr.tsubaking

According to legend, the Buddha was about 16 shaku (about 4.85 m) tall, and Tathagata statues, which are about 4.8 m tall when standing and 2.4 m tall when seated, are known as "Jorokubutsu" (Joroku Buddhas) and have been popular throughout the country since ancient times.

This seated statue of Amida Nyorai is 2.2 meters tall and has a calm and gentle aura that is appealing to the eye, with its rounded face and body.

In contrast, the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings surrounding it have a ferocious appearance, as if they could unleash a wild roar at any moment.

The team, which combines "stillness and movement" and "calmness and passion," is lined up perfectly, and it's cool, like when all the heroes in a Sentai series get together!

The building, which has recently been designated an Important Cultural Property, and the beautiful cosmos flowers are also highlights

Image: Mr.tsubaking

The Treasure House houses important cultural properties of Japan, including the Buddha statues we have introduced so far. In fact, the building itself was registered as a tangible cultural property (structure) of the country in March of this year (2024)!

When I visited, the cosmos were blooming beautifully with the treasure house in the background. There are an astonishing 900,000 of them.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

The trees in the temple grounds also turn red in autumn, and the combination of these colors with the old buildings makes for a photogenic sight.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

Kanzeonji Temple stands out not only for its autumn leaves, but also for its history, scale, and above all, the splendor of its Buddhist statues. I highly recommend visiting during this season! (Text by Mr. Tsubaking)

＜Click on the facility name for more information about the facility ↓＞
■ Kanzeonji Temple
Address: 5-6-1 Kanzeonji, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (entry to the Treasure House is until 16:30)
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