Chuzen-ji Temple (Tachiki Kannon)
中禅寺（立木観音）
A branch temple of Rinno-ji on the eastern shore of Lake Chuzenji, enshrining a thousand-armed Kannon said to be carved from a single standing katsura tree, with lake views.
Chuzenji Temple was founded in 784 by the monk Shodo Shonin. Its principal image, the Eleven-Faced Thousand-Armed Kannon, is said to have been carved by the monk directly from a standing katsura tree, which is why it is called the 'Tachiki Kannon' (Standing Tree Kannon). The image is an Important Cultural Property. The Godaido Hall sits on higher ground and offers views of Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai. Its ceiling features a dragon painting. Admission is about ¥500. Open 8:00–17:00, with shorter hours in winter. From the Chuzenji Onsen bus stop, it is about a 15-minute walk along the lake. On the way, you can visit the Utanohama shore and the summer villas of the British and Italian embassies.
Opening hours
8:00 am–5:00 pm (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park
- British Embassy Villa Memorial Park
- Futarasan Shrine Chugushi
- Kegon Falls
- Akechidaira Ropeway & Observatory
- Lake Chuzenji
- Mount Nantai
- Ryuzu Falls