Shimabuji

The main hall (Kannon-do), built in 1697, has been designated as a tangible cultural property of Saitama Prefecture. The carvings on the front balustrade, 'Jigoku no zu' and 'Gokuraku no zu', are magnificent. The main hall enshrines the deity Otasuke Kannon, who is said to help people out of their troubles and suffering. The Great Ceremony held every year on 24 August in the Shishoku Shokudo to the right of the main hall is also famous. It is a very lively gathering of monks from Chichibu, regardless of denomination. This event is famous as one of the three major offerings in the Kanto region, along with the Gyokusoin no Daisegaki in Saitama City and the Dojo Shigaki in Eifukuji in Sugito-cho, Kitakatsushika-gun.