Deeply Revered as a Kannon for Safe Childbirth and Child Rearing
Aketchi Temple, the ninth stop on the Chichibu Pilgrimage, is a historic temple said to have been founded by Zen Master Aketchi in 1191. It enshrines Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva, revered as a Kannon for safe childbirth and child rearing. The current Kannon Hall, rebuilt in 1990, is a beautiful hexagonal structure.
Within the temple grounds, you can find historical artifacts such as a blue stone pagoda with Amida Triad from the Muromachi period and a "Fumizuka" (letter mound) containing women's wishes.
Furthermore, the beautiful Terasaka Rice Terraces spread around Aketchi Temple, creating a stunning contrast between red spider lilies and golden rice ears, especially in autumn.
Every year on the temple's festival days, January 16th and August 16th, it is bustling with many worshippers, making it a beloved temple not only for prayers for safe childbirth and child rearing but also for its historical significance and beautiful scenery.
【About the Chichibu Pilgrimage】
The Chichibu Pilgrimage is a nature-rich pilgrimage route of approximately 100 km, encompassing 34 temples from site number 1 to 34.
