Nozaki Kannon (Jigen-ji) Temple

Nozaki Kannon (Jigen-ji Temple) is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Daito City, Osaka Prefecture. Its official name is Fukujusan Jigen-ji. According to tradition, about 1,300 years ago, a Brahman monk who came to Japan for the eye-opening ceremony of the Great Buddha told Gyoki that “Nozaki resembles Sarnath (Deer Park), where Shakyamuni first preached the Dharma.” Deeply moved, Gyoki is said to have carved and enshrined a Eleven-Headed Kannon (Jūichimen Kannon), believed to bring blessings such as matchmaking and safe childbirth. The temple fell into ruin through repeated warfare and was destroyed by the forces of the Miyoshi and Matsunaga clans in 1565, but it was restored in 1616 by Priest Seigan. The current main hall was relocated from the Kannon Hall of Dairyu-ji in Kusaka, Higashiosaka City. Since the Edo period, the temple has maintained a pilgrimage tradition called “Nozaki Mairi,” offering gratitude to all beings with or without personal ties. Every year from May 1 to May 10, around 300 stalls line the approach from JR Gakkentoshi Line “Nozaki Station” to the temple, and the area becomes lively with more than 200,000 visitors.