What other travelers are saying about Karamatsu Kannondo Temple
This is Karamatsu Kannon. Karamatsu Kannon is a common name, but the official name seems to be Karamatsuyama Gokokuji.
It is enshrined on the right bank of the Mamigasaki River, and is the fifth temple of the Mogami Thirty-Three Kannon.
It is also one of the Ten Views of Yamagata.
It is said that the origin of the temple is that Charcoal Burner Tota (the father of Kinuri Yoshitsugu) lived in Takarazawa, and placed the personal Buddha of his wife, Princess Toyomaru, in a cave in Karamatsuyama.
There is a parking lot on the opposite bank of the Mamigasaki River, and even a beautiful bridge, which I thought was very appreciated.
It seems that you can see fireflies in the area. It's rich in nature, isn't it? I'd love to go someday.
You can get a goshuin at the temple office just beyond the bridge.
Its appearance on a nearly vertical cliff is simply breathtaking.
The main image is the Shokannon Bodhisattva, said to have been made by Kobo Daishi.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, admission is free. The temple grounds are open at any time. The temple office operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free parking is available for up to 50 cars.
The Nabetaro pot measures 5.6 meters in diameter and was the first vessel used for Yamagata's Imoni Festival. Each September, a 6-meter pot is used at the Mamigasaki riverbed to cook imoni for approximately 30,000 people.
Take a bus bound for Hozawa, Sekizawa, or Bobara to Karamatsu Kannon temple bus stop, then walk 10 minutes. By car, it is 3 minutes from Yamagata Zao IC via Route 286 toward Sendai.
Spring is ideal when cherry blossoms bloom in April, creating contrast with the red temple walls. Autumn offers beautiful foliage when leaves turn colors. The temple grounds are open year-round and each season provides different photographic opportunities.
It's a Kannon Hall that makes you wonder how it was built in this location.
Looking up from below, it's quite moving to think that these buildings were built one by one at the risk of one's life, in an age before the conveniences we have today.
Along the way, you'll also find a Jizo statue.
The Kannon statue isn't very large, but it has a very gentle face.
The view from above is also wonderful, and with the only sound you can hear is the flowing river, so this is a great Kannon Hall to take your time and reflect on yourself.
However, if you're not used to it, it's probably best to avoid it in winter.
Though believed to have been founded in the Heian period, details are unknown. Some say it was built by a wife to pray for the souls of her husband who died in battle, while others say that an aristocratic princess who fell in love with a charcoal burner eloped with him and enshrined a Kannon statue on the site. During the Edo period, the temple complex was renovated with the support of the feudal lord, but none of the original buildings remain, and the main hall, which was originally built as a suspended structure, was rebuilt in the Showa period. The view from the stage is obstructed by a wire mesh with fortune-telling slips tied to it. While unavoidable for safety reasons, it does dampen the excitement. However, the building itself has its own charm, albeit small. There is what appears to be a temple office, but the shutters are often down, and a sign requests that those seeking business please visit the head priest's residence. Apparently, temple seals can also be obtained there.
While worth a visit, it's hard to describe the area as being particularly scenic. However, the area around Karamatsu Kannon is the site of the famous "Japan's No. 1 Imo-ni-kai" (Potato-Stir Feast), and the original large pot once used there is on display in the parking lot across the river. It is much smaller than the current one. The main hall is positioned so that it fits behind the handle of the pot. You can tell it's Yamagata at a glance, and in a sense it is the most Yamagata-like scene. It's not far from Yamagata city, so if it fits into your itinerary, it's worth stopping by.
At the entrance to the Kannon temple is the original Nabetaro statue, which was used in Japan's largest imoni party.
*If you're visiting by bus, there is only one bus per hour (it's about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop), so it's best to hurry and look around so you can get back to the bus stop before the return bus arrives.
This temple is impressive for its vermilion-painted cliff-hanging structure. The delicate piers are extremely high compared to the size of the hall, and it's amazing how it can still stand.
The interior is a space that exudes a deep folk atmosphere, and there are a few Musakari votive plaques inside.
