What to know
The Kamaishi Daikannon (釜石大観音) is a 48.5-meter-tall white statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Completed in 1970 on a peninsula south of central Kamaishi, the Daikannon holds a fish and faces the sea, watching over local sailors and praying for bountiful catches.
For a small fee, visitors can enter the statue and climb up through the interior, passing statues of the Seven Lucky Gods, to an observation deck inside the fish held in the Daikannon's arms. From there, you get beautiful panoramic views over Kamaishi Bay.
The base of the statue is a temple, and around it are several viewpoints. A separate temple building in Indian and Sri Lankan style stands nearby, enshrining the Buddha's ashes and exhibiting statues of the founders of various Japanese Buddhist sects in its basement.
The Kamaishi Daikannon is about a ten-minute taxi ride from Kamaishi Station (around 1500 yen one way) or a 15-20 minute walk from the Iron and Steel Museum.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 500 yen (~$3.2)
- English name
- Original name
- Kamaishi Daikannon
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.