Hasedera Temple Great Buddha Hall

Chokokuj Great Buddha Hall: Home of One of Japan's Three Great Hase Kannon

Tucked away in the tranquil Akada district of Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, Chokokuj Temple (長谷寺) harbors a remarkable surprise—a towering, gold-leafed Eleven-Faced Kannon statue standing nearly nine meters tall. Known locally as the "Akada Great Buddha" (赤田の大仏), this magnificent figure is counted among Japan's Three Great Hase Kannon alongside the famed statues at Hasedera in Nara and Hasedera in Kamakura. The Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿) that enshrines this colossal Kannon is itself a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, recognized for its outstanding architectural craftsmanship and historical significance.

Historical Background

Chokokuj Temple was founded in 1775 (An'ei 4) by the Soto Zen monk Zesan Taikaku, who established a small hermitage in the Akada area. The temple soon gained the patronage of the Iwaki clan, lords of the Kameda Domain, who designated it as their official prayer temple.

In 1784 (Tenmei 4), Zesan conceived the ambitious project of creating a grand Eleven-Faced Kannon statue modeled after those at the great Hase temples of Nara and Kamakura. A small Buddha figure said to have been carved from the same wood as the Kamakura Hasedera's principal image was enshrined within the statue as a sacred inner Buddha. After three years of dedicated work, the original Kannon was completed in 1786.

Construction of the Great Buddha Hall began in 1792 (Kansei 4) and was completed in 1794. Tragically, in 1888 (Meiji 21), a fire broke out in the guest quarters and consumed the entire temple complex. The deep faith of the local community, however, ensured that both the statue and its hall would rise again. A local merchant named Sasaki Tokichi funded the reconstruction of the Kannon, which was completed in 1892. The Great Buddha Hall was rebuilt in 1893, faithfully reproducing the original design and scale, and a grand consecration ceremony was held in 1896.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

The Great Buddha Hall was registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property on December 24, 2013. It is the only large-scale Buddhist hall in Akita Prefecture, and its construction date is clearly confirmed by a ridge plaque (munafuda) preserved within the building. The hall serves as an invaluable example for understanding the structural techniques and decorative styles of Meiji-era temple architecture in the Akita region. Its faithful reconstruction of the original Edo-period design, combined with the lavish ornamental work by renowned Meiji-era artisans, makes it an exceptionally important heritage structure.

Architectural Highlights and Attractions

The Great Buddha Hall is a wooden single-story structure with a hipped roof (hogyo-zukuri) clad in copper sheeting, covering a floor area of 181 square meters. Its design features a distinctive two-tier appearance: ornamental balustrades with giboshi finials encircle all four sides of both the upper and lower levels, while eighteen octagonal pillars support the exterior. The south-facing upper level features a "kansomado" viewing window, echoing the famous design of Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall in Nara.

The interior is a dramatic open atrium designed to accommodate the nearly nine-meter-tall Kannon statue. Four round inner pillars surrounding the Buddha rise from the ground floor through both levels, creating a soaring sacred space. The coffered ceiling above the statue features paintings of the "Thirty-Six Birds" by Masuda Kisae, an official painter of the Honjo Domain. The panel doors are adorned with depictions of the "Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry" by Shoundou Hagaku (Hori Tobei), a celebrated Meiji-era master craftsman from the Ouchi area. Elaborate dragon and floral carvings by master carpenter Ogawa Matsushiro further enrich the hall's decoration.

The Kannon statue itself is a breathtaking sight—standing 7.878 meters tall, it is constructed from cedar using the yosegi-zukuri (joined-block) technique and covered entirely in gold leaf. Visitors can approach the statue closely, looking up at its serene, gently downward-gazing expression. The hall can be entered freely; opening the heavy sliding doors triggers automatic lighting that gradually illuminates the golden figure, creating an unforgettable moment of revelation.

The Akada Great Buddha Festival

Every year in late August (around August 22), the Akada Great Buddha Festival takes place—a vibrant celebration designated as an Akita Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1997. This festival uniquely preserves the pre-modern tradition of shinbutsu shugo (fusion of Shinto and Buddhist practices). A small sacred Buddha image from within the Kannon is placed in a portable shrine and carried in a colorful procession (kuneri) approximately one kilometer from Shinmeisha Shrine back to Chokokuj Temple, accompanied by lion dances, children's dances, and folk performing arts originally taught by founder Zesan himself.

Visitor Information

Chokokuj Temple welcomes visitors year-round, and admission to view the Great Buddha is free of charge. Photography is also permitted inside the hall. The temple is about a 15-minute drive from central Yurihonjo City, or a 7-minute taxi ride from JR Ugo-Iwaya Station. For those using public transportation, buses from JR Ugo-Honjo Station take approximately 25 minutes. The nearby Gohounen rest area offers parking and a small exhibition about the Akada Great Buddha. The temple priest may offer a personal explanation of the hall and its history upon request.

Surrounding Attractions

Yurihonjo City and its surroundings offer numerous worthwhile destinations. Honjo Park features castle ruins and seasonal cherry blossoms. The Kameda Castle Sato Yaso-Hachi Art Museum showcases regional art in a reconstructed castle setting. Nature lovers will enjoy Hottai Falls, one of Akita's most scenic waterfalls located on the slopes of Mount Chokai. The Yuri Highland Railway provides a charming local train experience through the rural landscape. Several roadside stations (michi-no-eki) in the area offer local produce and regional specialties.