Rakuho-ji Temple (Amabiki Kannon)

Halfway up Mt. Amabiki, in the hills north of Mt. Tsukuba, stands this temple of the Shingon Buzan sect, known locally as Amabiki Kannon. Its principal image is Kanzeon Bosatsu, also called Enmei Kannon, the Kannon of long life. It is Temple No. 24 of the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, a special temple of the Kanto 88 Temples, and No. 6 in Ibaraki of the Tokoku Hana-no-Tera 100 flower temples.

According to temple tradition, it was founded in 587, in the reign of Emperor Yomei, by Horin Dokushu Koji, said to have come from Liang-dynasty China. The name is said to have been granted by Emperor Saga because prayers for rain here proved effective in a drought, and the mountain name Amabiki, meaning 'drawing rain', is said to come from the same story. In 1254 Prince Munetaka and, in the Kenmu era (1334-1338), Ashikaga Takauji are said to have restored the halls.

Among its cultural properties, a wooden standing statue of Kannon from the early Heian period is a national Important Cultural Property. It is a hidden image, unveiled on the first Sunday of April each year. The main hall, Niomon gate and Tahoto pagoda are among the designated Tangible Cultural Properties of Ibaraki Prefecture. The Niomon gate holds Nio guardian statues said to be the work of the Kamakura-period sculptor Kokei, and their carving is a highlight.

The temple is best known for prayers for safe childbirth, child-rearing and conception. Many visitors come with small children, and the rest area even has a baby playpen.

It is also a temple of flowers. Kawazu cherry trees in front of the main hall and pagoda bloom first in early March, followed by Edo-higan, Somei-yoshino and others on the slope; the best time is from early March to mid-April, with about 3,000 trees in all. The pagoda framed by blossoms is one of the most photogenic spots in the grounds. From early June to late July, about 5,000 hydrangea plants of 100 varieties fill the precincts, and an installation of flowers floating on a pond and evening illuminations are popular. Peacocks wander the grounds.

For a longer outing, the climb from the temple to the summit of Mt. Amabiki (409 m) takes about 30 minutes, with views of Mt. Tsukuba and the Kanto Plain. A visit to the grounds takes about an hour. By public transport, take the Sakuragawa city bus 'Yamazakura GO' for about 20 minutes from Iwase Station on the JR Mito Line; by car it is about 8 km from Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC. Mt. Tsukuba, Kasama Inari Shrine and the Mashiko ware kiln cooperative sales center lie nearby, so the temple fits easily into a day trip by car.