Kannon-ji

Kannon-ji is a Buddhist temple in Tsushima featuring traditional Japanese architecture with curved wooden roofs and ornate decorative details. The main hall displays the characteristic design elements of Buddhist temples, including structural and ornamental features that reflect the building's religious purpose.

Founded in 1526, this temple began when a Buddhist monk brought back a statue from the Korean Peninsula and decided to establish a place of worship. This arrival of the statue marked the start of the temple's history as a local religious center.

The temple serves as a spiritual center for the local community, hosting regular ceremonies that keep Buddhist practices alive in daily life. Visitors can observe how people engage with the space for prayer and reflection, seeing the temple's role in maintaining local religious traditions.

The temple is open to visitors daily from sunrise to sunset with no admission fee required. You can explore the temple grounds freely and may witness Buddhist ceremonies if your visit timing coincides with them.

The temple gained international attention in recent years due to disputes over a 14th-century statue that was removed in 2012. This legal controversy brought global awareness to the temple and highlighted questions about cultural heritage and ownership.