Chichibu Fudasho No.16 Saiko-ji Temple
The Main Hall is said to have been built in 1710. On its right is the Kairo-do, which means “Corridor Hall.” It was built after the 1782–88 famine to pray for protection from future hardships and was later renovated in 1976. Inside are replicas of the principal images from the 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage temples.
The Fuda-do Hall is the only surviving stand-alone votive hall among the Chichibu pilgrimage sites. The remaining nails and marks on its pillars show where pilgrims once fastened their wooden votive tablets.
Chichibu Fudasho No.16 Saiko-ji Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 無量山 西光寺（むりょうざん さいこうじ）/ Muryo-Zan Saiko-ji Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0051 Nakamura-cyou2004-8-21,chichibushi,Saitama
- School
- Shingon School, Buzan Sect
- Principal Image
- Senju Kannon (Thousand-Armed Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Temple Sharing the Merits of the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage
- Blessings
- Recovery from Illness
- Improved Fortune
- Business Prosperity
- Highlights
- Sake Barrel Daikokuten: This is the god of wealth and prosperity, enshrined inside the thatched Daikoku-do Pavilion made from a large sake barrel. Countless business cards are offered here for prayers for prosperous business and career success.
- Main Hall upper panel carvings: These are high-relief carvings around the Nirvana statue of Shakyamuni, showing many animals and other figures surrounding him.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- A Story of an Old Woman Finding Salvation
One night, a monk at this temple was gazing at the moon when an old woman appeared from the bushes.
She said, “I was once a faithful woman, but because of my greed, I fell into hell. No matter how many times I am reborn, I continue to suffer. Please offer prayers for me.” The monk prayed for her, and before long, a statue of Kannon appeared. People believed this happened under divine guidance, and the statue has since been respectfully enshrined as the temple’s principal image.
- Nearest station
- 15-minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Chichibu Station.