Webmaster visited Jigen-in Temple in Takasaki City of Gunma Prefecture this week. Jigen-in Temple is also known as Takasaki Kan’non (or Byakue Kan’non) because of its huge statue of Kan’non deity.
Access: Tokyo (shinkansen 0:55) Takasaki (bus 0:20) Byakuekan’non-mae (walk 0:02) @
When you get off the bus, you can already see the statue over the trees.
The approach to the temple
The main hall of Jigen-in Temple with many decorative lanterns
The statue is on the opposite side of the bridge. It has 41.8m in height, and was built in 1936.
At the foot of the deity.
You can enter the inside of the statue. The admission fee is ￥300 for adult. There are 146 steps to the top floor.
20 statues of Buddhist deities are enshrined inside.
This is the top floor which corresponds to the shoulders of the statue.
There are four small windows on the top floor.
Can you see a small window at the shoulder? This is one of them.
A view of Takasaki City and of far mountains. Jigen-in Temple is located on Kan’non-yama Hills covered by forests.
The main hall is also seen below.
Some photos of the statue
When Webmaster left the temple, Kan’non deity saw him off.
If you have time, you can also enjoy a short walk on the hills. Webmaster had a walk to Takasaki City Dye Plant Botanical Garden (Takasaki-shi Senryo Shokubutsuen) which took 15 minutes on foot from the temple.
Dye plants are exhibited with explanation.
Do you know textiles can be dyed coffee brown with the leaves of coffee trees?
End.