Chiba Tourism: Cliff Kannon
The Fumon-in Funakatazan Daifuku-ji Temple, which belongs to the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism, is symbolized by the vermilion-painted Kannon Hall floating halfway up the Funakatazan mountain within its precincts. It is widely known and loved by locals as the 'Cliff Kannon.'
The principal deity, the Eleven-Faced Kannon Bodhisattva, is said to have been carved by the monk Gyoki in 717 when he visited the area during his pilgrimage to the eastern provinces, praying for the safety of local fishermen and abundant catches. The 1.5-meter-tall deity carved into the rock face is worth seeing. Later, a hall was built by the monk Jikaku Daishi, but in February 1653, a fire broke out in the Kannon Hall, destroying all the temple's seals and treasures. Although the hall was rebuilt, it repeatedly collapsed due to heavy rains and the Great Kanto Earthquake. The current Kannon Hall was rebuilt in 1925 and underwent major renovations up to July 2016. The hall, built on a high ground, offers a spectacular view of Tateyama Bay below and Izu Oshima in the distance.