Katsui-ji

Katsui-ji is an ancient temple founded by the Buddhist priest Gyoki on the imperial order of Emperor Shomu, and is particularly famous for its thousand-armed Kannon. The nationally designated treasure statue of the thousand-armed Kannon seated in meditation is renowned throughout Japan as a rare Buddhist image that actually possesses a thousand arms. The temple is also known as the fifth station of the Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage Sites of Western Japan, attracting many pilgrims. It is also famous as a location of wisteria blossoms, with beautiful wisteria flowers adorning the temple grounds in spring, bringing solace to the hearts of visitors. This sacred place has long been where many have experienced the compassionate blessings of the thousand-armed Kannon who saves all sentient beings.