Nikko and the Chuzenji region, complement each other like a cherry to the cake. With so much to do in this region, it won’t be wrong to state that most of the noteworthy Nikko attraction lies right here, in the Chuzenji perimeter. The Chuzenji temple, for that matter, is no exception!

The main draw, however, of this region remains to be the lake, thus drawing crowds to the temple as well. You will find the lake, and tempel, flocked by visitors almost throughout the year. But come fall, and the visitors almost double!

This particular temple is the eighteenth temple of a Japanese pilgrimage circuit called ‘Bando’. The circuit comprises a total of 33 Kannon temples from the kanto region.

A tale goes that the statue inside the temper is carved out of the founding priest - Shodo-shonin on sighting the image of Kannon on the Chuzenji lake! If this incites some curiosity in you, the actual site of the tree-like statue with eleven faces and thousand hands, towering at 6 meters, will only stun you!

• Recommended time of arrival: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

• Tobu buses to Chuzenjiko Onsen from JR and Tobu Nikko Station.

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