There is a city called Itoshima located in western Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Just a 35-minute drive from Fukuoka's major city of Hakata, Itoshima is widely admired as one of the most livable small cities in Japan. While it's more famous for its beautiful beaches and peaceful sunsets, today we'd like to introduce another destination that's equally worth a visit: Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple.
The 400-Year-Old Maple Tree at Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple.
Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple was founded by an Indian Buddhist monk known in Japan as Seiga Shonin. Believed to have been established in 178 AD, the temple is nestled halfway up Mt. Raizan. Today, locals and visitors alike come here to pray for blessings such as successful childbirth, happy relationships, family safety, and a prosperous life.
In 1753, the lord of the Fukuoka Domain constructed the current main temple building and planted a maple tree, now 400 years old, that still turns a stunning shade of brilliant red each November. This vibrant autumn display makes the temple a must-visit destination during the season. When we visited earlier in the autumn, the maple leaves hadn’t fully turned red, but it was still beautiful to witness the gradual color change. For the best views of the fully red maple leaves, visiting in mid-November is ideal.
When we visited earlier in the autumn, the maple leaves had not yet fully turned red.
At the heart of Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple stands the revered Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Known locally as the "Kannon of Mt. Rai" or "Raizan Kannon," this remarkable statue stands 464 cm tall and features a crown adorned with ten heads and a halo of 1,000 arms, each with an eye carved on its palm. Recognized as a nationally important cultural property, this wood-carved statue is believed to date back to the Kamakura Period (1192–1333) and has long been the principal object of worship at the temple.
After ascending a corridor of wooden stairs to the Kannon-do Hall, a monk will invite you into a waiting room where you’ll learn about the temple’s history, the surrounding garden, and the Kannon statue. Afterward, the monk will lead you to another space, where massive wooden doors open to reveal the Kannon statue. Photography is not allowed in this space, but the sight of the statue is truly impressive, almost impossible to capture fully in a photograph. Although the introduction and chanting of the sutras are both in Japanese, making it difficult to fully understand, it remains an unforgettable experience.
The 500 stone Rakan statues at Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple.
After viewing the Kannon statue, another corridor of stairs leads up to the final temple structure of your visit. Here, the 500 stone Rakan statues lined along the mountain slopes are truly spectacular. These statues, preserved for over 1,000 years, represent the disciples of Buddha, each uniquely carved with expressions embodying a variety of emotions—sorrow, anger, joy, and more.
▸ Location:
Fukuoka, Japan
▸ Address:
626 Raizan, Itoshima, Fukuoka 819-1145, Japan
▸ Admission Fee:
▸ Access:
▸ Opening Hours:
9:00 - 16:30
The 400-Year-Old Maple Tree at Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple.
Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple was founded by an Indian Buddhist monk known in Japan as Seiga Shonin. Believed to have been established in 178 AD, the temple is nestled halfway up Mt. Raizan. Today, locals and visitors alike come here to pray for blessings such as successful childbirth, happy relationships, family safety, and a prosperous life.
In 1753, the lord of the Fukuoka Domain constructed the current main temple building and planted a maple tree, now 400 years old, that still turns a stunning shade of brilliant red each November. This vibrant autumn display makes the temple a must-visit destination during the season. When we visited earlier in the autumn, the maple leaves hadn’t fully turned red, but it was still beautiful to witness the gradual color change. For the best views of the fully red maple leaves, visiting in mid-November is ideal.
When we visited earlier in the autumn, the maple leaves had not yet fully turned red.
At the heart of Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple stands the revered Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Known locally as the "Kannon of Mt. Rai" or "Raizan Kannon," this remarkable statue stands 464 cm tall and features a crown adorned with ten heads and a halo of 1,000 arms, each with an eye carved on its palm. Recognized as a nationally important cultural property, this wood-carved statue is believed to date back to the Kamakura Period (1192–1333) and has long been the principal object of worship at the temple.
After ascending a corridor of wooden stairs to the Kannon-do Hall, a monk will invite you into a waiting room where you’ll learn about the temple’s history, the surrounding garden, and the Kannon statue. Afterward, the monk will lead you to another space, where massive wooden doors open to reveal the Kannon statue. Photography is not allowed in this space, but the sight of the statue is truly impressive, almost impossible to capture fully in a photograph. Although the introduction and chanting of the sutras are both in Japanese, making it difficult to fully understand, it remains an unforgettable experience.
The 500 stone Rakan statues at Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple.
After viewing the Kannon statue, another corridor of stairs leads up to the final temple structure of your visit. Here, the 500 stone Rakan statues lined along the mountain slopes are truly spectacular. These statues, preserved for over 1,000 years, represent the disciples of Buddha, each uniquely carved with expressions embodying a variety of emotions—sorrow, anger, joy, and more.
雷山千如寺 大悲王院 Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple
▸ Location:
Fukuoka, Japan
▸ Address:
626 Raizan, Itoshima, Fukuoka 819-1145, Japan
▸ Admission Fee:
- Adults: ¥400
- Junior high school students and younger: Free (includes access to the main hall and the Eleventh-faced Senju Kannon)
▸ Access:
- By Car:About 15 minutes from Maebaru Interchange via the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.
- By Public Transportation: Take the JR Chikuzen Maehara Station. From there, take the Itoshima City Community Bus from "Maehara Station South Exit" (Keizan Line). Get off at "Kakusan Kannon" bus stop, then walk about 5 minutes.
▸ Opening Hours:
9:00 - 16:30
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Dans Le Gris is a brand that began with everyday jewelry, with each handmade piece designed and crafted in Taiwan. We deeply value every detail, dedicating ourselves to creating timeless pieces through collaboration with experienced craftsmen.
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