Takasaki Byakui Daikanon

At the time of its construction in 1936, it was the world’s largest Kannon.
Standing 41.8 meters high (equivalent to a 9-story building), it stands on the Takasaki Kannon Hill, which commands a panoramic view of the city.

The interior of the womb can also be viewed (for a fee), and 20 Buddhist statues are enshrined in the nine-story interior.
From the top floor of the womb, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of not only the city center, but also the main mountains of Gunma Prefecture and the Yatsugatake Mountains.
The Buddha is a deity of good health, safe childbirth, and child-rearing, but he also brings good luck in marriage and longevity.

The temple is illuminated at night, and the night view from the parking lot is spectacular, making it a popular date spot.

It is a Buddha of matchmaking, so please visit.
The footpath is paved, so wheelchair users can visit the temple (stairs inside the womb).

Located on Takasaki Kannonzan Hill in Takasaki City is the Takasaki Shiraigoromo Daikannon statue. This statue of the Kannon is located at the top of Kannonzan, 190 meters above sea level, and sits within the precincts of Jigenin Temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism.

From the top (shoulder) of this Kannon statue, one can see the city of Takasaki, the main mountains of Gunma Prefecture, and Mt. Yatsugatake.

It is also known affectionately as “Takasaki Kannon” (Takasaki Goddess of Mercy). Locals often refer to it affectionately as “Kannon-sama” or “Shirai Kannon” (Goddess of Mercy).

Also, the pronunciation “shirai” (white robe) is commonly used, and the reading “shirai” (white robe) is not often used. In Gunma Prefecture’s local karuta, “Jomo Karuta,” the furigana “Shirai Kannon” is given the furigana “Byakuaikan-non,” which may be seen as an influence on the name.

This statue of the Kannon was erected in 1936 by businessman Yasusaburo Inoue.

Made of reinforced concrete, the statue stands 41.8 meters tall and weighs 5,985 tons. At the time, it was considered the world’s largest statue of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

Inside the statue, there are nine levels of staircases with 146 steps, and 20 statues of Buddha are enshrined. Today, it is visited by about 50,000 to 60,000 people a year, and visitors are allowed to enter the interior.

The Kannon statue was built to commemorate the war dead of the 15th Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army, which was once stationed in Takasaki, and at the same time served as a tourist attraction.

The original model of the statue of the Kannon was created by Isesaki-born cast metal craftsman Yuzo Morimura (Nitten, no contest), and its construction was supervised by Ryutama Kurokawa, and took more than two years to complete.

Today, Jigenin Temple is the first of 88 sacred temples in the Kanto region and one of the 100 Flower Temples in the eastern part of Japan. The temple grounds are not only a sightseeing spot, but also a place for citizens to relax and enjoy nature and various flowers and trees throughout the four seasons, including approximately 3,000 cherry trees on the entire mountain.

The statue of the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) received the Takasaki Cityscape Award in 1998, and was designated a registered tangible cultural property in 2000.