Tsubosakadera

Tsubosakadera, formally South Hokkeji, is a Shingon temple in the hills of Takatori said to have been founded in 703. It is the sixth temple of the Saigoku thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage, and its eleven-headed thousand-armed Kannon is revered for helping with eye ailments; the story of the blind Sawaichi and his wife Osato spread its reputation. The temple is known for large stone statues, including a standing Kannon carved by Japanese and Indian stonemasons and presented from India. The stone Buddhas are among the largest of their kind. The grounds also show cherry blossoms in spring and coloured leaves in autumn.