Yaizu Thousand-Armed Kannon Daikakuji Zenshuin Temple (Soto Zen)

Daikakuji Zenshuin, a Soto Zen temple in Yaizu, Shizuoka, carries on more than 1,000 years of history. It was founded in 850 as the Shingon temple Daikakuji and later converted to Soto Zen.

Its principal image, the “Yaizu Thousand-Armed Great Kannon,” is a newly created wooden Great Buddha, finished with lacquer and gold leaf and consecrated in 2003. Buddhist sculptor Seizan Watanabe crafted it from over 300-year-old Kiso cypress, using traditional techniques. Measuring Approx. 4.2 m for the body and Approx. 1.8 m for the head, it is praised as “Japan’s largest wooden, lacquer-and-gold-leaf Thousand-Armed Kannon Great Buddha,” a rare Great Buddha style said to have reappeared for the first time in 750 years.

Quietly standing in golden light, the Great Buddha symbolizes prayers for happiness and peace for the next thousand years. It gently embraces visitors and is deeply revered by the people of Yaizu.

The grounds feature a guest hall built in the hojo architectural style and the garden “Ryuso no Niwa (Dragon Claw Garden),” creating the calm you’d expect of a Zen temple. In this peaceful setting, you can spend time in prayer and quiet reflection.