Traveling to Kamaishi, Japan : The Kamaishi Daikannon

The Sekiohzenji Temple Kamaishi Daikannon is a 48.5 meter tall statue in Kamaishi City's Odairacho area. The statue is considered a sacred place on the Sanriku Coast. People visit the statue to pray for peace in both this world and the world after death. The statue was completed in 1970 and by Ono Rikizo and commissioned by Segawa Seiro, the seventeenth Head Abbot of Sekiohzenji Temple. When traveling up the stairway, the seven deities, gods of good fortune, can be seen. These deities are worshiped for success in business and marriage, household safety, good catches at sea, and more. The Japanese believe that these deities guide humans through misfortune. Visitors can climb up the spiral stone stairway of the Daikannon to the very top where a beautiful view of the sea can be viewed. From this location, remains of the former World Record Tsunami Breakwater can be seen.

In a separate building on the temple grounds is the Stupa which enshrines a bone fragment of the historical Buddha who passed away 2,600 years ago. Buddhists believe that these remains have the power to expiate bad karma in the past, present, and future. In the lower level, is the Hall of the Eight Founders. This area is dedicated to the founders of Japan's eight modern Buddhist sects. The Kamaishi Daikannon is a beautiful place that offers religious history as well as a breathtaking view of the Pacific ocean. From this location, remains of the former