Koyama Shoryu Daikannon: a Giant Statue of Fortune and Wealth in Asakura

Rising on the hilltop of Koyama in Haki, Asakura, overlooking the hot spring resort of Harazuru, Koyama Shoryu Daikannon is a giant statue of the Kannon standing 28 meters tall including its pedestal. Said to be the largest rising dragon Kannon in the country, it is cherished as a lesser known power spot for fortune and prosperity, especially blessings of wealth and luck.

Tradition holds that walking once around the statue brings a blessing, and walking twice means the Kannon will accompany and protect you. The grounds also feature a zodiac sanctuary enshrining guardian Buddhas for each birth year, a Kannon for warding off senility, and a replica circuit of the thirty three Kannon sites of Kyushu, offering plenty to see.

Highlights

• The rising dragon Kannon, an overwhelming presence at 28 meters tall, with many smaller Kannon images set within its pedestal
• A walk around the statue praying for wealth and luck, drawing a steady stream of visitors who seek fortune here
• The zodiac sanctuary where you can pray to the guardian Buddha of your birth year, and the Kannon for warding off senility
• Views of the Chikugo plain and the Harazuru hot spring area from the hilltop, and clear vistas on fine days

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the surrounding mountains come into bud, and in autumn the foliage adds color. Standing on high ground, the site offers wide views, and in the clear seasons the Chikugo plain stretches far into the distance. The Harazuru hot spring resort spreads out at the foot of the hill, making the spot easy to fold into an itinerary that pairs sightseeing with a soak. As a quiet, lesser known place, it suits those who wish to spend a leisurely time.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 871-4 Haki Shiwa, Asakura, Fukuoka
• Access: About 10 minutes by car from the Haki interchange on the Oita Expressway, or about 10 minutes by car from the Haki bus stop on the Nishitetsu bus
• Hours: Roughly 8:30 to around 17:00
• Admission: Free to view; a 100 yen offering brings you incense and a candle
• Parking: Free parking on the grounds, room for about 100 cars

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: For clear views, aim for a daytime visit in the crisp air of autumn or winter, or the softer light of dusk
• Avoiding crowds: Usually fairly quiet, though the New Year period and long holidays draw more worshippers. A weekday morning is the calmest choice
• Time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour to circle the statue and see the zodiac sanctuary and other features
• Nearby real spots: The Harazuru hot spring resort and the Michi no Eki Harazuru roadside station lie close by, handy for a day bath, a meal, or shopping
• Budget guide: The visit itself is free to a few hundred yen; add a day bath at Harazuru and figure from the low thousands of yen

A Quick Tip

If you wish for better luck with money, walk around the statue with a sincere heart. The site sits atop a hill reached by a winding mountain road, so drivers should take the curves with care. The grounds are spacious with much to see, so it is best to visit with time to spare.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes to an hour to circle the Kannon statue and take in the twelve-zodiac sanctuary. Allow half a day combined with Harazuru Onsen.
• What to bring: It sits on a rise with a walking approach, so comfortable shoes are recommended. The airy, open outlook can be breezy, so a layer suited to the season adds comfort.
• Suggested route: Circle the Kannon statue and the twelve-zodiac sanctuary and enjoy the view over the Chikugo plain, then combine a day-trip bath at Harazuru Onsen at the foot of the hill and a meal or shopping at the Harazuru roadside station.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Address: 871-4 Haki Shiwa, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture 838-1521
• Visiting hours: 8:30-17:00
• Closed: Open all year round
• Fees: Admission is free of charge. You make a votive offering for incense and candles at the reception desk and then pray
• Parking: 100 spaces, free of charge
• Access by car: About 10 minutes from the Haki IC on the Oita Expressway. It stands on high ground reached by a mountain road, so allow plenty of time on the winding drive up
• Bus: About 10 minutes by car from the Haki stop on the Nishitetsu Bus. Walking up from the bus stop is not realistic, so a taxi or car is essentially required
• Goshuin seal stamps: Issued at the reception desk. Please check on site for the offering fee and whether pre-written stamps are available
• How long to allow: About 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk once around the Kannon statue and take in the twelve zodiac shrines and the observation deck
• Footwear and clothing: Worship here involves walking around the Kannon statue, so comfortable shoes are best. It is on high, breezy ground, so a layer suited to the season makes the visit more comfortable
• In rainy weather: The visit is mostly outdoors and there is almost nowhere to shelter from the rain, so bring an umbrella or rain gear. The view from the observation deck is also hazy in the rain, so choose a clear day if the scenery is your aim
• Strollers and wheelchairs: No information on accessibility is published. If you need it, it is reassuring to check in advance by telephone (0946-63-3031)
• Avoiding the crowds: It is usually fairly quiet, but numbers rise during the New Year visiting season and on long weekends. For a calm visit, weekday mornings are recommended
• Budget guide: The visit itself involves only a votive offering. Combining it with a day-use bath at Harazuru Onsen at the foot of the hill brings the cost to a guide figure of somewhere in the thousand-yen range
• Nearby: Harazuru Onsen spreads out at the foot of the hill and the Harazuru roadside station is close by, making it easy to build a half-day itinerary combining a day-use bath, a meal and some shopping

📚 Sources

Information on the Koyama Shoryu Daikannon can be confirmed through public sources from Asakura City and on-site guidance, and details on Harazuru Onsen at the foot of the hill and the Harazuru roadside station are also helpful. Opening hours, guidance on the twelve-zodiac sanctuary, and the operations of nearby facilities may change, so please confirm with official sources before you set out.

The address, visiting hours (8:30-17:00), the fact that it is open all year round, the 100 parking spaces, the telephone number and the journey time from the Nishitetsu Bus stop at Haki were checked in the guide to Koyama Shoryu Daikannon published on the official website of the Asakura Tourism Association. The total height of 28 meters, the claim that it is the largest ascending-dragon Kannon in Japan, and the fact that the adjoining Haki Shiwa observation deck gives a sweeping view of the Chikugo River and is fitted with a telescope come from the introductory page on the Asakura City official website. The circumstances of its construction (the vow made by the founder of Taisenkaku in Harazuru Onsen and its completion in August of the 62nd year of Showa), the tradition of walking around the statue in worship, and the twelve zodiac shrines, the Boke-fuji Kanzeon Bosatsu and the replica pilgrimage of the Kyushu Thirty-Three Kannon are compiled from local tourism information. Visiting hours and the opening of nearby facilities are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.