The Hall of the Akata Great Buddha
The Chokokuji Temple Great Buddha Hall (長谷寺大仏殿) is a hall housing a great standing image of the Eleven-Headed Kannon of 1893 in Akata, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 24, 2013 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber building with a copper roof and a building area of 181 square metres; registration number 05-0194.
The Hall of the Akata Great Buddha
The Great Buddha Hall of Chokokuji houses a standing image of the Eleven-Headed Kannon about 8 metres tall, known locally as the Great Buddha of Akata (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It has a pyramidal copper roof with a pent roof all round and a porch at the front. The upper eaves have radiating rafters and a viewing window opens in the front, while the lower level, especially round the porch, is decorated with carvings in high relief of clouds and dragons, flowers and birds (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes this hall, known locally as the home of the Great Buddha of Akata, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the viewing window in the upper front and the high-relief carvings round the porch (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by the temple, a religious corporation (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was the hall built?
- In 1893 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the temple name read?
- Chokokuji, not Hasedera.
- What does the hall house?
- An Eleven-Headed Kannon about 8 metres tall, the Great Buddha of Akata.
- What is the roof like?
- Pyramidal and copper-clad, with a pent roof all round.
- When was the Chokokuji Temple Great Buddha Hall registered?
- On December 24, 2013 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Chokokuji Temple Great Buddha Hall (長谷寺大仏殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | 115 Akata, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2013/12/24 (Heisei 25) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, copper roof, 181 m² |
| Owner | Chokokuji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Chokokuji Temple Great Buddha Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00009696
Last verified: 2026.10.20