15‏/01‏/2014

Kannon-ji Temple

Charming small-town temple in mountainous Saitama

By Todd Wojnowski

Community writer

For cleansing and purification upon entering the temple area.

Japanese temples are rich in symbols, positioning, and design.

Torii leading to the shrine's back area.

A neighborhood shrine worth checking out.

The perfect time of year for some back-to-nature sightseeing.

Hanno City is a quaint, charming area of Saitama Prefecture. Big enough to make it worth your while, yet small enough to qualify as a back-to-nature getaway, it is tucked into the mountains and surrounded by hiking trails. Schedule your route to peace and quiet through Kannon Temple, a small but intriguing area that demands the attention of people walking by. Highlighted by a large white elephant statue, Kannon Temple consists of a collection of old-time buildings that are laid out in a way that fits the atmosphere of the town: laid back and worthy of poking around. Particularly beautiful when highlighted by the autumnal colors, Kannon Temple also offers a beautiful view of the river running across the street.