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How to Get to and Enjoy Tomizaki Kannon-do, a Tourist Attraction on Ishigaki Island
Hello everyone!
What are your plans for the New Year’s holidays? If you’re still undecided, why not consider Ishigaki Island? There’s nothing better than spending New Year’s on Ishigaki Island, surrounded by beautiful scenery and nature. Additionally, Tomizaki Kannon-do—Ishigaki Island’s top spot for New Year’s visits—is located near Kannon-zaki, offering breathtaking views. With the hugely popular Fusaki Beach nearby, it’s also highly recommended for those who want to enjoy the ocean. In this article, we’ll introduce Tomizaki Kannon-do, the No. 1 spot for New Year’s visits.
Table of Contents
About the Tomizaki Kannon Hall
Tomizaki Kannon-do is a temple located in the southwestern part of Ishigaki Island, just a short distance from Kannon-zaki and Fusaki Beach. As mentioned at the beginning, many people make a special trip to Tomizaki Kannon-do for their first shrine visit of the New Year. The temple has long been revered as a place of worship for Kannon, who watches over safe voyages and good health. While the temple grounds themselves are a quiet, secluded space, the surrounding area offers plenty of tourist attractions and activities to enjoy, such as Fusaki Beach, the Chinese Cemetery, and the Kannonzaki Lighthouse.
Directions to Tomizaki Kannon-do
From New Ishigaki Airport, drive west on Route 211. Follow the coastline via Route 79; after passing the PONTE Glass Studio Ishigaki Island branch on your left, turn left at the second intersection and continue for a short distance—you’ll see it on your right.
Detailed Information on Tomizaki Kannon Hall
Tomizaki Kannon-do is the most popular temple on Ishigaki Island for New Year’s visits. It’s said that over 10,000 people visit the temple each day for Hatsumode. You’ll be amazed by the massive line—it can take nearly an hour just to reach the main hall. After you’ve finished your prayers, be sure to try your luck with an omikuji fortune slip! Inside each slip is a tiny, tiny deity. Be sure to keep it safe in your wallet.
Tomizaki Kannon-do, a popular spot for New Year’s visits to shrines, is a temple that was built over 310 years ago.
At the entrance, there are stone lanterns shaped like various animals, and their intricate decorations convey a sense of meticulous attention to detail and rigor. A windbreak surrounds the staircase lined with stone lanterns. As a result, even during the winter months when strong north winds blow, the area remains calm and peaceful. Surrounded by subtropical plants such as Fukugi trees and Ryukyu pines, visitors can relax and enjoy the benefits of forest bathing.
How to Enjoy Tomizaki Kannon-do
Tomizaki Kannon-do is Ishigaki Island’s top spot for New Year’s visits, so it’s commonly visited during the year-end and New Year’s holidays! That said, of course, people visit at other times as well. Since there is a tradition of worshiping Kannon, who watches over safe voyages and good health, it’s a great place to visit to offer prayers for those things.
In addition, Fusaaki Beach and the Kannon-do Lighthouse are located right near the Tomizaki Kannon-do. From the Kannon-do, you can enjoy views of the surrounding islands and beaches, and there’s a cave where you can go on a little adventure. Once you pass through the cave, you’ll be treated to a view of the sunset over Iwakoshi.
Right next door is Nagura Bay, the largest bay on Ishigaki Island and a famous spot for watching sunsets, so,SUPand ... andsea kayakIt’s also a great idea to enjoy the marine activities that are a must-do when visiting Ishigaki Island. Why not try out some of these activities as part of your sightseeing itinerary?
Address: Tomizaki, Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 15-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal
Phone number: 0980-82-2809 (Ishigaki City Tourism Exchange Association)
Hours of operation: None
Admission: Free
Parking: Available
Restaurant: None
Toilet: None
summary
We’ve introduced you to Tomizaki Kannon-do. What did you think?
Tomizaki Kannon-do, Ishigaki Island’s No. 1 spot for New Year’s visits, has long been a place of worship where people pray to Kannon for safe voyages and good health. Here are some highlights of Tomizaki Kannon-do:
・Ishigaki Island’s No. 1 Spot for New Year’s Shrine Visits
・There are many tourist attractions in the area
・Easy access from the city center
・The Kannon statue that watches over safe voyages and good health
・A temple with a history spanning 300 years
Be sure to check out the points mentioned above and pay a visit to Tomizaki Kannon-do.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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