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Tourism Information and History

Kanmanji Temple

Said to have been built by Jikaku Daiji, who came from Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, Kanmanji Temple is a historically symbolic site with a rich cultural heritage.

Many litterateurs such as Noin Hoshi and Saigyo Hoshi visited this temple to compose their tankas as early as the Heian period. Later, this temple became more eminent as a destination for writers and poets after its mention in Matsuo Basho’s travel memoir, Oku no Hoso michi (“Narrow Road to the Deep North”).

Kanmanji temple was once at the center of the scenic “Eighty-eight Lagoons and Ninety-nine Islands.” The temple precincts are densely covered in ancient trees appropriate for its 70-year history and houses in its tranquil environment several tourist highlights called the Seven Wonders of Kanmanji Temple. The temple gate enshrining statues of the guardians of the temple is said to have been built in the Edo period.

Kujuku Islands

Kisakata once had several islands floating in its cove. These islands were formed by the seawaters eating away at the liquid mud that came from earlier eruptions of Mt. Chokai. In 1804, however, the Great Kisakata Earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of 7.1, caused a 2.4 meter uplift of land, thereby changing the famous waters around the islands to dry land overnight. The Tsukumo Islands are designated as a natural monument for their geologically rare qualities. Years after the waters were covered in dry mud, the islands still resemble their ancient image reflected on the surface of the water-filled rice paddies before planting season.