Overview
Taigū-ji is a temple of the Tendai sect located in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, with the mountain name Nachisan. Its origins lie in a hall known as Muryōin Kannon-dō, and the temple has been known by its current name, Taigū-ji, since the Meiji era.
Highlights
- ●A Tendai sect temple with the mountain name Nachisan
- ●Originally established as the Muryōin Kannon-dō hall
- ●Its principal image is an eleven-faced Kannon statue
- ●Became independent as Taigū-ji during the Meiji era
History
Tsugaru Nobumasa, the 4th lord of the Hirosaki domain, built Hōon-ji temple to pray for the repose of his father, Tsugaru Nobuyoshi, the 3rd lord. Following that, in 1677, the Muryōin Kannon-dō hall was constructed and an eleven-faced Kannon statue was enshrined within it. During the Meiji era, when the sub-temples attached to Hōon-ji were abolished, this Kannon hall became independent, taking on the name Taigū-ji, which remains its name today.
Access
Located within Hirosaki, the temple took on its present name and independence after a sub-temple of Hōon-ji, its former head temple, was abolished in the Meiji era. Being within the city, it can be reached on foot along with nearby temples and other Hirosaki sightseeing.
Best season
This Tendai-sect temple's principal image, an eleven-faced Kannon, is said to have been carved in 1677 at the request of Hirosaki domain lord Tsugaru Nobumasa. Hirosaki has many well-known cherry blossom and autumn foliage spots, and some visitors combine a stop here with sightseeing during those seasons.
Map
40.5964, 140.4663 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Visit Taigū-ji and pay respects before the eleven-faced Kannon statue
- 2Learn about the temple's history, including the origin of its mountain name Nachisan
- 3Take time to look around the temple grounds
- 4Continue on to other sightseeing spots in Hirosaki City
Did you know?
💡 The eleven-faced Kannon statue enshrined as the principal image traces back to the Muryōin Kannon-dō hall, built following the construction of Hōon-ji. The temple's current name, Taigū-ji, was inherited when this hall became independent after Hōon-ji's sub-temples were abolished in the Meiji era.
Nearby spots
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