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Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage: History and Highlights of All Temples
Founded in 718 by Tokudo Shonin and revived by Emperor Kazan, the Saigoku 33 is Japan's oldest Kannon pilgrimage spanning 1,000 km across seven prefectures. From Seiganto-ji to Kegon-ji, this guide covers history, highlights, and practical visiting tips.
聖
Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
1
Origins and History
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2
Geography
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3
Goeika (Pilgrim Verses)
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4
Modern Visits
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Saigoku 33 is Japan’s oldest Kannon pilgrimage, founded in 718 by Tokudo Shonin and revived in 986 by Emperor Kazan. The route spans 1,000 km across seven prefectures (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Shiga, Hyogo, Gifu), beginning at Seiganto-ji at Nachi Falls and ending at Kegon-ji in Gifu. The number 33 reflects the 33 manifestations of Kannon Bodhisattva taught in the Lotus Sutra.
Origins and History
Tokudo Shonin, founder of Hase-dera in Nara, is said to have selected 33 Kannon temples after a near-death vision of King Enma. The pilgrimage was nearly forgotten until Emperor Kazan, who took monastic vows at age 19, revived it by walking the route himself and establishing the present temple order.
Geography
The temples cover seven prefectures with major sites including Hase-dera (No. 8), Kiyomizu-dera (No. 16), Daigoji (No. 11), Ishiyamadera (No. 13), Mii-dera (No. 14), and Kegon-ji (No. 33). The first temple, Seiganto-ji at Nachi Falls, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sacred Sites of the Kii Mountain Range”.
Goeika (Pilgrim Verses)
A unique feature is the goeika—a 31-syllable Japanese poem composed by Emperor Kazan for each temple. Pilgrims receive both a temple stamp and a goeika stamp in their pilgrim’s book.
Modern Visits
Most pilgrims travel by car (7-10 days) or in installments over months. Bus tours typically operate monthly. The pilgrimage culminates at Kegon-ji in Gifu, where pilgrims receive three stamps and may dedicate their white pilgrim robes.
Last updated: April 27, 2026
Three-story pagoda of Seiganto-ji and Nachi Falls — iconic view of UNESCO's "Sacred Sites of Kii Mountain Range"
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by 663highland
Main Hall and covered steps of Temple 8 Hase-dera in Nara — National Treasure stage-style architecture donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by 663highland
Main Hall of Temple 16 Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto — National Treasure stage-style hall built without nails, UNESCO World Heritage
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by Martin Falbisoner
Main Hall of Temple 14 Mii-dera in Shiga — head temple of Tendai Jimon-shu with the famed "Evening Bell of Mii"
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by 663highland
Five-story pagoda of Temple 11 Daigoji in Kyoto — National Treasure built in 951, the oldest wooden structure in Kyoto
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by Yoshi Canopus
Pagoda of Temple 13 Ishiyamadera in Shiga — Toji Shingon temple where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have conceived The Tale of Genji
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by 663highland
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Author
Hijiri（ひじり）
Shrines & Temples
Toku editorial team — shrines and temples. Former designer who reads temple architecture and gardens through an aesthetic lens, quietly tracing the lineages of sects and doctrines.
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Visit Related Places
History truly comes alive when you visit in person. Choose your next destination from the related sites and pilgrimage courses below.
1. Nachisan Seiganto-ji
First temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage — sacred Kumano site beside Nachi Falls with a Momoyama-style main hall and three-storied pagoda
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2. Kimiisan Kongohoji Gokoku-in (Kimii-dera)
Second temple of the Saigoku 33 — head temple of the Kuse Kannon sect, founded 770, famous for the earliest cherry blossoms in Kansai and the three sacred springs
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3. Hasedera (Nara)
Head temple of Shingon Buzan-ha and Saigoku 8th site — 399-step roofed corridor leads to Japan's largest wooden Kannon, famed as the 'Temple of Flowers'
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4. Kofuku-ji Nan'en-do (South Octagonal Hall)
Ninth temple of the Saigoku 33 — octagonal Fujiwara prayer hall built in 813 by Fuyutsugu, enshrining a National-Treasure Fukukenjaku Kannon by Kokei (father of Unkei)
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5. Rokkakudo (Choho-ji)
Prince Shotoku's hexagonal temple of 587, Saigoku 18th and Rakuyo 1st pilgrimage station, birthplace of Ikenobo ikebana, and the site of Shinran's life-changing 100-day retreat
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6. Kiyomizu-dera
World Heritage temple with the nail-free hanging stage — three streams of Otowa Falls grant different blessings
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7. Sanjusangendo
Hall of 1,001 Senju Kannon statues built by Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Taira no Kiyomori
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8. Daigoji
World Heritage head temple where Hideyoshi held his legendary cherry-blossom party
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9. Ishiyama-dera Temple
The temple where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have …
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10. Miidera Temple (Onjoji)
Head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect
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11. Iwamasan Shoho-ji (Iwama-dera)
Twelfth temple of the Saigoku 33 — mountain sanctuary near the 443 m summit of Mt. Iwama, famed for Basho's haiku pond, the "sweating Kannon" and prayers against dementia
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12. Kegonji
The sacred final temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, revered for over 1,200 years as Tanigumi-san
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