Mizusawa Temple

Mizusawa-dera Temple, formally known as “Gotokusan Mizusawa Kannon,” is a temple founded about 1,300 years ago by Sojo Ekan, by imperial prayer orders of Empress Suiko and Empress Jito. It is a sacred site located 36 ri from both Tokyo Zenkoji and Nikko Zenkoji, and it was renowned as an imperial prayer temple through successive emperors, as well as a place of prayer for the Tokugawa family. It is an important temple with deep devotion. At the center of the precincts is the main hall (Kannon-do), enshrining the principal image of the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon (Juichimen Senju Kannon Bosatsu), known as “Yuzu Kannon,” said to fulfill all wishes of sentient beings and extend a helping hand of salvation. The grounds also include the Hexagonal Hall (Rokkakudo), built in the Genroku era and considered a representative architectural example of Jizo worship in Japan, the Shaka Hall enshrining Shaka Triad statues, the Niomon gate enshrining Nio guardians along with Fujin and Raijin, a bell tower, Ryuo Benzaiten, Iizuna Daigongen (guardian deity of the area), Mizuko Jizo, and a Nofuda Hall. It’s also a comfortable distance from Ikaho Onsen, so it’s recommended to visit for worship.