More Than 370 Years of History
Kannon-in is traditionally said to have been founded in 1644. According to temple tradition, Iwasaki Hikoemon, who was involved in the textile industry in the area, established the temple, while a monk named Shuga served as its founding priest.
The temple has developed alongside Kiryu for more than 370 years, witnessing the city’s growth from a historic textile center into the community it is today.
Kannon-in is also a designated pilgrimage temple, serving as No. 10 on the Kanto 88 Sacred Places pilgrimage and No. 5 on the Joshu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. These pilgrimage traditions make the temple an important destination for Buddhist worshippers as well as travelers interested in Japanese religious culture.
A Lush Temple Grounds Filled with Sacred Sites
The temple grounds are surrounded by greenery and take on a different appearance with every season. Spring flowers, deep summer shade, autumn foliage, and the crisp air of winter each offer a different atmosphere for visitors.
The main hall enshrines Shō Kannon Bosatsu, providing a quiet place for prayer and reflection.
Other sacred sites and Buddhist images are scattered throughout the grounds, including a Jizo Hall, Fudo Myoo, Benzaiten, Binzuru, Kinsei Daimyojin, and Negishi Daimyojin.
Binzuru – A Buddhist Figure Associated with Healing
One of the most distinctive figures is Binzuru, a Buddhist disciple traditionally believed to possess healing powers.
According to local practice, visitors gently rub or touch the part of Binzuru’s statue corresponding to an area of their own body where they are experiencing discomfort. This custom reflects a form of folk Buddhist faith that remains familiar at temples throughout Japan.
Walking around the grounds therefore provides an opportunity to encounter a variety of Japanese religious traditions within a single temple complex.
Kiryu City Important Cultural Property – The Nirvana Painting
Kannon-in preserves a valuable Buddhist artwork known as the Kannon-in Nehan-zu, or Painting of the Buddha’s Nirvana, which is designated an Important Cultural Property of Kiryu City.
The painting is displayed during Nehan-e, a Buddhist memorial observance commemorating the Buddha’s death and entry into nirvana. The solemn ceremony provides visitors with an opportunity to experience an important aspect of Japanese Buddhist culture while viewing a historic religious artwork.
The Legend of Higiri Jizo-son
The temple’s best-known tradition centers on Higiri Jizo-son, the Jizo Bodhisattva associated with prayers made for a specified period.
According to a local legend, a large textile workshop once stood in this area, where many workers stayed late into the night. One evening, the people inside the building saw the shadow of a huge figure appear beside a window.
Frightened by the mysterious figure, they fired a gun and felt that they had clearly hit something. However, when they searched the following morning, the figure had disappeared. Only traces of blood remained, and when they followed the trail, it reportedly ended in the garden of Kannon-in.
A Message from Jizo
That night, the owner of the workshop is said to have dreamed that Jizo Bodhisattva appeared before him.
In the dream, Jizo explained that he had been standing there to protect the household and told him that if a hall were built and people prayed while setting a specific period for their wishes, those prayers would be answered.
The villagers responded by collecting donations and building a hall dedicated to Jizo. From this story grew the tradition of Higiri Jizo, a Jizo figure to whom people make sincere prayers with a designated date in mind.
The tradition continues today, and visitors still come to the temple to entrust their wishes to Jizo.
The Monthly 24th-Day Fair
One of Kannon-in’s most appealing features is its monthly temple fair held on the 24th.
Dozens of stalls line the approach to the temple, selling local specialties, seasonal products, snacks, and other goods. The lively atmosphere resembles a traditional Japanese market or open-air marche.
Families and younger visitors also take part, and the temple grounds can remain lively throughout the day.
Hatsu-Jizo on January 24
The busiest fair of the year is Hatsu-Jizo, held on January 24. It is the first Jizo festival of the year and attracts many people who come to pray for good fortune and make wishes for the year ahead.
The peaceful atmosphere of the temple is transformed into a lively community celebration, with visitors enjoying the stalls and festive atmosphere while paying their respects to Higiri Jizo.
Events Throughout the Year
Kannon-in holds a variety of Buddhist ceremonies and cultural activities throughout the year.
These include Nehan-e in February, the Spring Equinox memorial service in March, Hanamatsuri, the celebration of the Buddha’s birthday, in April, and the Obon memorial observances in August.
In October, the temple also holds a Sand Treading Pilgrimage of the Shikoku 88 Sacred Places. Visitors can symbolically experience the pilgrimage by walking over sand brought from the sacred pilgrimage sites of Shikoku without having to travel across Japan to visit all 88 temples.
Copying Sutras and Buddhist Gatherings
On the 21st of each month, Kannon-in also holds activities such as shakyo, the practice of copying Buddhist sutras by hand, and gatherings dedicated to Kobo Daishi, the founder traditionally associated with Shingon Buddhism.
Beginners are welcome to participate, making these activities an accessible way for international visitors to experience Japanese Buddhist culture beyond simply sightseeing.
A Place to Relax and Unwind
The temple grounds also include Sara Sabo, a café where visitors can enjoy Korean traditional herbal tea.
The teas are prepared using selected herbs and botanical ingredients based on traditional Korean herbal practices. They are presented as drinks intended to promote a sense of balance and relaxation.
Visitors can also enjoy traditional Korean sweets alongside the tea, creating a peaceful place to rest after exploring the temple.
Temple Hotel Kannon-in
Kannon-in also operates a shukubo, or traditional temple lodging, known as Temple Hotel Kannon-in.
The accommodation incorporates buildings and furniture created by local craftsmen from Kiryu. Natural wood and traditional craftsmanship give the interior a calm and welcoming atmosphere.
Kitchen facilities and other amenities are provided, allowing guests to enjoy a stay that feels more like living in a traditional Japanese home than staying at a conventional hotel.
This combination of traditional temple culture and modern comfort provides a deeper way to experience Kiryu and its local heritage.
A Kiryu Landmark Where Prayer and Community Life Meet
Kannon-in has been selected as one of the 100 Famous Places of Gunma and is recognized as one of the city’s notable cultural and sightseeing destinations.
What makes the temple special is the way several different experiences come together: the quiet atmosphere of Buddhist prayer, the lively energy of the monthly fair, historic cultural treasures, traditional ceremonies, and opportunities to participate in Buddhist practices.
Although Kannon-in is located within the urban area of Kiryu, entering its grounds provides a welcome sense of calm. It remains a place where people can pause, offer a prayer, participate in community traditions, and leave with a renewed sense of connection.
For travelers exploring Kiryu, Kannon-in offers an authentic glimpse into the living religious and cultural traditions of a historic Japanese textile town. Visit the temple to discover the story of Higiri Jizo, experience the atmosphere of the monthly fair, or simply spend a quiet moment among the temple’s greenery and historic buildings.