Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage
Understand
Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage (中国三十三観音霊場 chugoku san-juu-san kannon reijou) was designated a pilgrimage route in 1981. Each of the thirty-three temples on this pilgrimage route is located in Japan's Chugoku Region and worships Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
Although the pilgrimage route officially consists of thirty-three temples, there are an additional four temples considered to be "Special Sacred Temples" (特別霊場 tokubetsu-reijō) that, despite not being given numbers, are considered to be part of the pilgrimage route.
Temples
Okayama
1. 🌍 Saidaiji Temple (西大寺), Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.
2. 🌍 Yokeiji Temple (餘慶寺), Setouchi, Okayama Prefecture.
3. 🌍 Shorakuji Temple (正楽寺), Bizen, Okayama Prefecture.
Special Sacred Temple: 🌍 Tanjoji (誕生寺), Kumenan, Okayama Prefecture.
4. 🌍 Kiyamaji Temple (木山寺), Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture.
5. 🌍 Hokai-in Temple (法界院), Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.
6. 🌍 Rendaiji Temple (蓮台寺), Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.
7. 🌍 Entsuji Temple (円通寺), Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.
Hiroshima
8. 🌍 Myouou-in Temple (明王院), Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture.
9. 🌍 Jodoji Temple (浄土寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Special Sacred Temple: 🌍 Saikokuji Temple (西國寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
10. 🌍 Senkoji Temple (千光寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
11. 🌍 Kojoji Temple (向上寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
12. 🌍 Buttsuji Temple (佛通寺), Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture.
13. 🌍 Mitakidera Temple (三瀧寺), Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture.
14. 🌍 Daisho-in Temple (大聖院), Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Yamaguchi
Special Sacred Temple: 🌍 Hannyaji Temple (般若寺), Hirao, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
15. 🌍 Kanyoji Temple (漢陽寺), Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
16. 🌍 Tojunji Temple (洞春寺), Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
17. 🌍 Ryuzoji Temple (龍蔵寺), Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
18. 🌍 Sorinji Temple (宗隣寺), Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
19. 🌍 Kozanji Temple (功山寺), Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
20. 🌍 Daisho-in Temple (大照院), Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
21. 🌍 Kannon-in Temple (観音院), Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Shimane
22. 🌍 Tadaji Temple (多陀寺), Hamada, Shimane Prefecture.
23. 🌍 Kandoji Temple (神門寺), Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
24. 🌍 Zenjoji Temple (禅定寺), Unnan, Shimane Prefecture.
25. 🌍 Gakuenji Temple (鰐淵寺), Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
26. 🌍 Ichihataji Temple (一畑寺), Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
27. 🌍 Unjuji Temple (雲樹寺), Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture.
28. 🌍 Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺), Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture.
Tottori
29. 🌍 Daisenji Temple (大山寺), Daisen, Tottori Prefecture.
30. 🌍 Hase-dera (長谷寺), Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture.
31. 🌍 Sanbutsuji Temple (三仏寺), Misasa, Tottori Prefecture. famous for its Nageiredo ("thrown-in chapel")
Special Sacred Temple: 🌍 Maniji Temple (摩尼寺), Tottori, Tottori Prefecture.
32. 🌍 Kannon-in Temple (観音院), Tottori, Tottori Prefecture.
33. 🌍 Daiun-in Temple (大雲院), Tottori, Tottori Prefecture.
Events
Touring a temple is sometimes more fun on special occasions and festival days. Below are some festivals and special events held at the temples along the pilgrimage route.
- Saidaiji Eyo - The infamous Naked Man Festival held at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama Held on the third Saturday in February.
- Hagi Lantern Festival (萩万灯会). 19:30-21:30. The lanterns surrounding the Mori Clan graves are lit up at Daishoin Temple on August 13.
Other Pilgrimage Routes