Sanjusangendo Temple and the 1001 Statues of Kannon

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I had such a great time traveling across Japan that I do want to share them all – especially this series from Kyoto, which has so many unique temples. Unfortunately back then I didn’t realize the benefit in shooting RAW and these above were shot exclusively in JPEG in the bright afternoon sun. I’m no editing expert so I found it quite difficult to attempt editing these in post.. if anyone has tips I’m all ears!

Sanjusangendo Temple

Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂) is a temple in eastern Kyoto famous for its 1,001 statues of the Boddhistava Kannon, Goddess of Mercy. The temple hall is an astonishingly long wooden structure and the name itself, meaning 33 intervals, derives from the number of intervals between the foundation’s support columns. Inside the temple, you’ll find 500 statues of human sized armed Kannon standing ten rows deep. The statues are armed and fierce; the sight of so many, each with a different facial expression, is quite impressive.

While you’re in eastern Kyoto, don’t forget to also check out Ginkaku-ji pavilion, Kiyomizudera Temple and the historic Higashiyama and Gion districts. Kyoto is one of Japan’s most historic cities and it’s well worth checking out as many temples and shrines as possible, as they are all each unique. In fact, Kyoto’s historic value spared it from the list of target cities for the atom bomb. The city was spared altogether from air raids in World War II.

Read more: Travel to Japan

 

Want to know what else to do in Tokyo? Check out my full Japan series:

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Tokyo


That Time I Got Naked with Strangers… My Japanese Bathhouse Experience

Tsukiji Fish Market Pt 1 Is the Tuna Auction Worth Visiting?

Tsukiji Fish Market Pt 2 (You Woke Up Late) The Other Stalls

How to Travel Japan Shinkansen & the Japan Rail Pass

Tokyo’s Most Famous Temple: Asakusa and Senso-Ji

Hotel Review Mornings at the Park Hyatt Tokyo

Tokyo Sights: Visiting the Imperial East Gardens

Kyoto


A Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto (Memoirs of a Geisha!)

What Does It Mean to Donate a Torii Gate

Sanjusangendo Temple and the 1,000 Statues of Kannon

Japan Eats


Sushi for Breakfast, Really? Sushi Daiwa at Tsukiji

Delicious Bakery Treats Mont Thabor & The Park Hyatt

Is Japan Vegetarian Friendly? Here’s What You Can Expect & Eat More Greens

Dessert Among Diamonds Mikimoto Lounge

How Good is Japanese Tonkatsu

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