Nago-ji Temple

Nago-ji sits on the slope of Mount Nago in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, overlooking the town and Tateyama Bay. Its principal image is the Thousand-Armed Kannon, and locals call it Nago Kannon. It is the 33rd and final temple of the Bando 33 Kannon pilgrimage, so many pilgrims finish their journey here. It is also the first of the Awa 34 Kannon temples and the 56th of the Kanto 88 temples. According to tradition, the monk Gyoki founded it in 717 while praying for the recovery of Empress Genshō. The Kannon hall, built entirely of zelkova wood with ornate gabled roofs on three sides, is designated a cultural property by Chiba Prefecture, as is the pagoda built in 1761. The temple also keeps a Kamakura-period bronze standing Thousand-Armed Kannon, a National Important Cultural Property. Allow 30 minutes to an hour. It is about 12 minutes on foot from Nago-Funakata Station.