Kasamori Kannon

Kasamori Kannon, in Chonan, is an ancient temple said to have been founded in 784 by the great teacher Saicho, formally named Kasamoriji. Its principal image is an eleven-faced Kannon, and as the thirty-first site of the Bando thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage, it has drawn pilgrims since ancient times. Its greatest sight is the Kannon hall rising atop a great boulder at the summit. Its four-sided suspended construction, supported by pillars on every side, is the only such architecture in Japan and is designated an Important Cultural Property.

Highlights

• The Kannon hall atop the great boulder, held up by sixty-one pillars, is the only example in Japan of the four-sided suspended construction.
• From inside the hall, reached by a steep stairway, a refreshing view opens out over the forests of Boso.
• The approach to the gate is wrapped in deep forest, dotted with sights such as the fertility camphor tree. The surrounding woodland is designated a national natural monument as the Kasamoriji natural forest.

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring brings fresh greenery, summer the cool of the deep forest, autumn its foliage, and winter worship in crisp air. The view is especially fine in autumn, when the trees surrounding the hall take on color. The forest-clad grounds reveal a rich, ever-changing face with each season.

Access and Basic Information

• Take a Kominato Railway bus from Mobara Station on the JR Sotobo Line to the Kasamori stop, then about a 5-minute walk.
• Roughly 7 minutes by car from the Mobara-Chonan interchange on the Ken-O Expressway, with parking available.
• Admission to the Kannon hall is around 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for children (subject to change). A steep stairway leads up to the hall, so sturdy, comfortable shoes are essential.

Practical Travel Notes

• Autumn color usually peaks from late November to early December. Since crowds grow then, weekdays or mornings are best for a quiet visit.
• Strolling the approach, viewing the hall, and enjoying the panorama takes about an hour. Because the stairway is steep, those unsure of their footing should take it slowly.
• Nearby are temples and shrines known for safe childbirth and child-rearing, along with the rural hill scenery of the Chonan and Mobara area. The location fits easily into a driving tour of inland Boso.
• Admission is a modest few hundred yen. Bus service is limited, so arriving by car allows more flexible timing.

A Quick Tip

The stairway up to the hall is steep, but the view that opens at the top brings a real sense of accomplishment. Be sure to admire up close an architectural style found nowhere else in Japan. The forest-wrapped grounds brim with fresh air, making this a hidden sacred place to refresh both body and mind.

📚 Sources

This article is compiled from the history of Kasamori Kannon (Kasamoriji), known as the thirty-first stop of the Bando Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage, tourism guidance for Chonan Town, and public information on the Kannon hall built in the shiho-kakezukuri style, an Important Cultural Property of the nation, and the Kasamoriji Natural Forest, a national natural monument. The viewing fee and nearby bus service may change, so please confirm fees, hours, and access with official sources before you set out. Please also refer to the on-site history notice and signboards.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About an hour, from strolling the approach to viewing the Kannon hall and enjoying the outlook.
• What to bring and prepare: The Kannon hall is reached by steep stairs, so easy-walking shoes are essential. Dress for the season as you walk the forest-enclosed grounds.
• Suggested route: Proceed along the approach wrapped in deep forest, visit sights such as the child-blessing camphor tree, and view the Kannon hall in the shiho-kakezukuri style, the only one of its kind in Japan. The hall offers a sweeping view over the Boso forest, and you can pair it with nearby temples and shrines for safe childbirth and the satoyama scenery toward Chonan and Mobara.
• Best for autumn foliage: The foliage peaks around late November to early December, and for a quiet visit, weekdays or mornings are recommended.