Shodoshima Great Kannon

Address: Nakayamaminami-31-36 Sanezawa, Izumi Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-3217, Japan. Getting there: You can take a bus and get off at Shodoshima Daikannon-mae. The statue is a ten minute walk uphill from the bus stop. Highlights: The Shodoshima Great Kannon is a large white statue depicting Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Completed in 1993 on the mountainside overlooking the western side of Shodoshima Island, the 50 meter tall statue houses a temple inside. You may enter and climb or take an elevator most of the way up to the top floor built into the Kannon's chest where the temple's holy relic, a tooth of the historical Buddha donated by a temple in Sri Lanka, is enshrined. This floor doubles as observation deck with views over Shodoshima. Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily. Admission fee: 500yen #bucketlistreboot #traveljapan #culturewalk