Sennyoji Daihioin Temple

This temple sits halfway up Mt. Rai in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and is also known as Raizan Kannon. It is said to have been founded in 178 by the Indian monk Seiga Shonin, in the 48th year of Emperor Seimu’s reign. It flourished especially during the Kamakura period, when as many as 300 monks’ quarters stood on the mountain grounds. The temple houses many cultural properties, including the nationally designated Important Cultural Properties Wooden Standing Statue of Senju Kannon and Wooden Seated Statue of Seiga Shonin, both made in the Kamakura period, as well as the prefecturally designated cultural properties Wooden Statue of Tamonten and Wooden Statue of Jikokuten.

The temple grounds are rich in nature and feature beautiful gardens, including a karesansui dry landscape garden centered around a giant maple tree designated as a prefectural natural monument, and a pond-strolling-style viewing garden that spreads out behind the guest hall. The temple is also known as a fall foliage spot, and the sight of the giant maple tree, Approx. 400 years old, turning red is breathtaking. The maple usually reaches its best viewing season in mid-November, drawing many worshippers. During peak fall foliage season, both the parking lot and buses get crowded, so it’s best to visit with extra time to spare.