Bandai-ji, Buddhist temple on cliff in Fukuyama, Japan.
Bandai-ji is a Buddhist temple built on a cliff overlooking the Seto Inland Sea with views across nearby islands and the water. The Kannon Hall at the top of the site serves as the main sanctuary where visitors come to pray and make offerings.
The temple was founded in 992 by Emperor Kazan and became an important spiritual site for the region's pilgrims. A feudal lord later undertook major restoration work that shaped the building into its present form.
This temple serves as a stop on the Setouchi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, a spiritual journey across the islands where visitors leave prayers for safe ocean voyages and children's health. The practice connects this location to a network of sacred sites that have guided pilgrims for centuries.
Reaching this location takes time by public transport from Fukuyama Station, followed by a walk up to the clifftop shrine. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for a steep path to reach the main hall.
The Kannon Hall interior is filled with countless votive tablets left by visitors over many years, creating a visual record of prayers and wishes. These handwritten notes offer a glimpse into what has mattered most to pilgrims who have come here.
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