Mizusawa Kannon

Mizusawa Kannon is famous as one of Gunma's top power spots. It is a Tendai sect temple that enshrines the "Main Image Eleven-Faced Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva," which is said to bring benefits for safe childbirth and child-rearing. The temple has a history of over 1,300 years, dating back to the reign of Emperor Suiko. Mizusawa Kannon is said to bring benefits such as improved health luck, traffic safety, and matchmaking. Located in Gunma Prefecture, Mizusawa Kannon is not only a power spot, but also a place where you can feel the history and culture. We recommend visiting this spot!

The beautiful garden of Mizusawa Kannon is a charming Japanese garden that utilizes the beauty of nature in every season. The vast grounds feature gardens with old trees, a pond-style garden, a stone-paved approach, and a walking path with beautiful weeping cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. The garden has many quiet spaces, making it ideal for prayer and meditation. Additionally, there is an open-air bath in the garden, allowing you to relax in nature. There are "double cherry blossoms" and "weeping cherry blossoms" that are said to have been planted about 400 years ago, making it a great place to stroll through the garden in the spring for cherry blossoms and in the fall for autumn foliage. Why not take a walk through the garden?

Ikaho Onsen is one of Japan's representative hot spring resorts, known as one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan. Its history dates back to about 1,300 years ago, when it was already known as a hot spring resort. The hot spring town still retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, and there are various accommodations such as day trip hot springs, hot spring inns, and hotels. In addition, the "Tengu's Staircase," a symbol of Ikaho Onsen, is a staircase with 365 stone steps that leads up to a view close to the sky. The hot spring water is sulfuric acid spring, and its effects include relieving neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue. Mizusawa Kannon and Ikaho Onsen each have their own attractive features. Mizusawa Kannon allows you to feel nature and history, while Ikaho Onsen, with its high skin-beautifying effects and delicious meals made from local ingredients, is a must-visit destination.

Ikaho Shrine is a historic shrine that has existed since the Heian period, protecting Ikaho Onsen. Located at the top of the long stone steps of Ikaho Onsen, it may require a little physical effort to visit, but it's a must-see spot for tourists who want to experience the atmosphere of the hot spring town. The shrine enshrines the gods of hot springs and medicine, and has been worshipped as the guardian deity of Ikaho Onsen, which has been known as a hot spring resort since ancient times. Inside the shrine grounds, there is the only wooden torii gate in Japan that is said to be the oldest shrine construction in Japan. It's surrounded by rich nature, and along the approach to the shrine, there are stone lanterns and stone guardian dogs, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Ikaho Shrine is one of the spots that you should visit together with Mizusawa Kannon, and the atmosphere where nature and history are fused, such as the long stone steps leading up to the shrine, the old wooden torii gate, and the stone guardian dogs, condenses the charm of Japanese shrines.

The Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva statue at Mizusawa Kannon has been designated as an important cultural property. This statue is approximately 2.8 meters in height and 2.2 meters in width, with a thousand hands said to be in the hands of Kannon-sama. The hands are depicted with treasures such as jewels, swords, lotus flowers, and wheels, and you will be overwhelmed by its majestic appearance. The wooden carving of the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva is said to have rich benefits, including good health, safe childbirth, warding off evil, business prosperity, and academic success. We highly recommend visiting Mizusawa Kannon at least once to experience its majesty and blessings.