Chichibu Fudasho No.11 Joraku-ji Temple
Founded around 1540, the temple once had a Kannon Hall, a Nio-mon Gate, and living quarters, but these were destroyed in the massive Chichibu fire of 1878. The current Kannon Hall was rebuilt in 1880.
The principal image is the Eleven-Faced Kannon, worshiped as a protector for recovery from illness and long life. Today, the temple belongs to the Soto sect. Before the fire, it was part of the Tendai sect. A statue of Ganzan Daishi, a monk who led the revival of the Tendai sect, is still enshrined here as a relic of that history.
Chichibu Fudasho No.11 Joraku-ji Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 南石山 常楽寺（なんせきざん じょうらくじ）/ Nanseki-Zan Joraku-ji Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0032 kumagimachi43-28,chichibu-shi,Saitama
- School
- Soto Zen School
- Principal Image
- Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-Faced Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Temple for Good Fortune and Protection from Misfortune
- Blessings
- Better Financial Luck
- Improved Fortune
- Recovery from Illness
- Highlights
- Ganzan Daishi: This monk was a Tendai sect reformer and appeared in a demon-horned form to save people from epidemics. People believe that he brings blessings for warding off epidemics. He is also called Mame Daishi, a name given for destroying evil.
- Fugen Bosatsu: This is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Virtue and the guardian deity for those born in the Year of the Dragon and the Year of the Snake.
- Sunset view: The temple offers a panoramic view over Chichibu city, with Mt. Ryokami in the distance and a beautiful sunset.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- Monkai
Long ago, a monk named Monkai, known for his wisdom and virtue, was building a Nio-mon Gate at the temple. During construction, he fell ill because of an evil spirit. Medicine did not help, so he prayed to the principal image for recovery.
That night, he dreamed of a noble monk who said, “I will heal you,” and the deity Kongo appeared, helping Monkai to stand. The next day, his illness began to improve quickly, and he soon fully recovered. Monkai’s faith in Kannon deepened, and he is said to have received many blessings and lived a long life.
- Nearest station
- 15-minute walk from Chichibu Railway Ohanabatake Station.