Kamaishi Daikannon, Buddhist statue in Kamaishi, Japan.
Kamaishi Daikannon is a white concrete statue on a peninsula that rises 48.5 meters, representing the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion. It holds a large fish in its hands and faces out toward Kamaishi Bay.
The statue was completed in 1970 as one of Japan's largest Gyoran Kannon figures. It was built to serve as a spiritual guardian and symbol of hope for the local fishing community.
Inside are wooden statues of Guanyin and the Seven Lucky Gods, showing how Japanese Buddhism connects with fishing traditions in this coastal area. These figures represent the spiritual beliefs that shaped local life.
Visitors can climb through twelve interior floors to reach an observation deck located within the fish the statue holds. The site is accessible on foot or by taxi and offers views across the Sanriku coastline.
The observation deck is located inside the fish that the statue holds, creating an unusual experience as visitors look out from within this carved detail. This viewpoint offers a rare perspective of how the statue relates to the surrounding coastline and the waters below.
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