Amabiki Kannon Temple

Located in Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki, Amabiki Kannon, formally Amabikisan Rakuhoji, is an old temple said to have opened in 587. It received deep devotion from Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo, and later became a Shingon Buddhist training hall under the great teacher Kobo Daishi. It is counted as the twenty-fourth stop of the Bando Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage, and today it is one of Kanto's leading temples, widely known as a sacred place for safe birth and child-rearing.

As a local song puts it, first safe birth, second child-rearing, third the cherry blossoms of Rakuhoji, it is a power spot that bustles all year with families praying for safe delivery and the health of their children.

Highlights

• Prayers for safe birth and child-rearing, which draw many families seeking blessings
• Animals such as peacocks, ducks, and goats living within the precinct, whose company with the flowers creates a mystical space
• The historic temple buildings, with the solemn halls characteristic of an ancient temple lined up across the grounds

Enjoying the Seasons

From the Kawazu cherry blossoms of March to the double-flowered cherries of May, about 3,000 trees of many kinds can be enjoyed. In June, some 5,000 plants of 100 varieties of hydrangea bloom, including a new variety named at this temple. The autumn foliage is beautiful too, charming visitors through all four seasons.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 1 Motoki, Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki
• Public transport: about 10 minutes by taxi from Iwase Station on the JR Mito Line. On Saturdays and holidays a local bus also runs to the Amabiki Kannon bus stop
• By car: about 20 minutes from the Sakuragawa Chikusei IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway
• Parking: lots numbered one through five are maintained, together able to hold several hundred small cars
• For details on admission and opening hours, checking directly with the temple is most reliable

Practical Travel Notes

• Best seasons: the cherry blossoms of March to May, the hydrangeas of June, and the autumn foliage are the highlights. The June hydrangeas in particular are widely known as one of the finest displays in the prefecture
• Timing and avoiding crowds: weekends in June at the peak of the hydrangeas are especially busy, so an early-morning visit is more comfortable
• Time needed: about an hour for worship and a stroll of the grounds; allow around two hours to enjoy the cherry blossoms or hydrangeas at leisure
• Nearby real spots: Sakuragawa City has cherry-blossom sites such as Isobe Sakuragawa Park dotted about, and the area is well placed for continuing on toward Kasama
• Budget sense: worship itself is a casual stop. Amulets, goshuin seals, and formal prayer rites each require their own offering

A Quick Tip

June, at the peak of the hydrangeas, is especially popular. To avoid the crowds, an early morning visit is recommended. The animals in the precinct are a delight for families with children too. The parking lots are arranged in order from the top of the hill downward, so choose where to park according to your energy.

📚 Sources

This article is based on on-site guidance and the history record at Amabiki Kannon, formally Rakuhoji, information published by Sakuragawa City and local tourism organizations, and the general history as a Bando Thirty Three Kannon site and a place of prayer for safe birth and child rearing. Viewing fees and opening hours, prayer and offering reception, and local bus services may change. Before your visit, please confirm the latest details through official Amabiki Kannon and Sakuragawa City information or on-site notices.

Visitor Checklist

• Approximate time: About 1 hour for worship and a stroll; allow around 2 hours to enjoy the cherry blossoms or hydrangeas at leisure
• What to bring: The parking lots are arranged in order from the top of the hill, so choose where to park according to your energy, and wear easy walking shoes
• Suggested route: Worship at the historic halls, enjoy the mix of seasonal flowers with the peacocks and ducks living on the grounds, then pray for safe birth and child rearing
• Seasonal tip: Cherry blossoms from March to May, hydrangeas in June, and autumn foliage are the highlights; on June weekends at peak hydrangea time, an early morning visit is comfortable
• Nearby spots: Sakuragawa City has cherry spots such as Isobe Sakuragawa Park, and the Kasama area is an easy extension