While the exact origins of Kanimanji Temple are shrouded in mystery, it is estimated to have been founded in the end of the Hakuho Period (around 645-710). Larger than it is today, the temple was initially referred to as Kabata-tera in ancient documents.
Its principal image, a colossal 2.2-ton sitting statue of Shaka Nyorai, is a designated National Treasure and a masterpiece surviving from the temple's founding.
The temple is renowned for the story, Kani no Ongaeshi (Crab's Return of a Favor) in the Konjaku Monogatari (Tales of Times Now Past). The story goes as follows:
One day, a young lady who was a devout believer in Kannon (Avalokiteśvara) Bodhisattva saved a crab that was being bullied by villagers. Later, Kannon transformed into a crab and saved her from a terrible fate. Filled with reverence and gratitude, she and her father built the temple to enshrine the crab.
Even now, a crab-releasing festival is held at this temple every year on April 18th.
- Tel
- 0774-86-2577
- Address
- 36 Kabatahama, Yamashiro-cho, Kizugawa City, Kyoto
- Access
- -About 20 min. on foot from Tanakura Station (JR Nara Line)
-From Tanakura Station (JR Nara Line), take the Kizugawa City Community Bus (weekdays only), get off at Kanimanji-guchi, and walk for about 5 minutes - Business Hours
- 9:00am - 4:00pm
Closed
April 18th
(Other closures may occur)
- Price
- General: 500 yen
- Parking
- Available
