Iidaka Kannon Manshoji

Iidaka Kannon Manshoji temple

Iidaka Kannon Manshoji, which is pronounced ma-n-shoh-ji and nicknamed Iidaka Kannon, is an ancient temple in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture. This temple is located in a steep mountainous area in Ena City and dedicated Senju Kannon.

Senju Kannon is Avalokiteshvara with so many arms (1000 arms), and has also an eye in every hand. Its figure is symboled that it always watches over and saves all lives, I hear.

The principal Buddha of this temple also has a wide range of benefits. Especially among them, people living in and around the area believe it has particular benefits to warding off evils, family safety, and traffic safety. I also believe it has powerful benefits for warding off evils and protecting our safety in many way, because it is the principal Buddha of the temple that has survived various disasters since its foundation in early Heian period (8th century).

Iidaka Kannon Manshoji temple (view of the precinct) : 飯高観音萬勝寺（境内の様子）

main temple building and the hall for dedicating to Kannon : 本堂と観音堂

main gate of the temple and bell tower (seen from inside the precinct) : 山門と鐘楼（境内側から）

The precinct and parking lots of Iidaka Kannon were maintained little by little in Showa ~ Heisei periods, so now we can visit by car comfortably. Also, because this temple is far from stations and there are steep slopes on the way, I recommend visiting by car rather than walking. However, there is a risk of traffic jams on the New Year and temple festivals, and in the surrounding area, there is a high possibility of snowfall and freezing of the road surface in winter, so we should have a margin in our schedule and mind with the neccessary equipments of people and cars acording to the season to visit.

By the way, I recommend to visit also Kannon Chaya, that is a teahouse across the road from the temple, after the temple visit. We can have a light meal such as homemade Gohei Mochi, and also we can buy local sweets and seasonings.

The most popular product of Kannon Chaya is homemade Gohei Mochi after all, which was also introduced as "Densetsu-no Gohei Mochi (Legendary Gohei Mochi)" on TV. It has the shape of Waraji type (flat oval), it's delicious with a special sauce that also contains walnuts, so my parents and I think everytimes "We must buy Gohei Mochi of Kannon Chaya after visiting Iidaka Kannon!".

However, we need a little attention for visiting Kannon Chaya. Kannon Chaya is operated by local volunteers and has different business days depending on the season. Also, the number of products and the number of products sold also vary depending on the status of infectious desease countermeasures. So, it's a good idea to check the menu and the numver of products sold or make a reservation, by telephone early in the business hours of the day.

Click here for the official site.

＊＊＊ in Japanese ＊＊＊

飯高観音萬勝寺

　飯高観音萬勝寺は、岐阜県恵那市にある古刹です。恵那市の中でも険しい山地にあり、千手観音を本尊としています。
　千手観音とは、非常に多くの腕を持つ観世音菩薩のことで、すべての掌に１つずつ目もあり、常に多くの命を見守り救済してくださることを象徴している姿なのだそう。
　このお寺のご本尊のご利益も多岐にわたりますが、中でも厄除け、家内安全、交通安全には特に厚いとして地元や周辺に暮らす人々に信仰されています。平安時代初期に創建されて以来さまざまな災難を乗り越えてきたお寺のご本尊だけに、厄除けやさまざまな安全祈願へのご利益は確かに強力そうですね。

　境内や駐車場は昭和・平成の間に整備が進み、車で訪れやすくなりました。また、鉄道の駅から離れていること、途中には急な坂道があることから、訪れる際には徒歩よりも車のほうがお勧めです。但し、正月や縁日には混雑や渋滞の可能性がありますし、冬季は積雪や路面の凍結の可能性が高い地域ですので、スケジュールと心にゆとりを持ち、人も車も季節に合わせた装備を整えてから出かけましょう。
　余談ですが、参詣後には道向かいにある観音茶屋に立ち寄ってみてください。手作りの五平餅などの軽食をいただいたり、地元ならではのお菓子や調味料を買うことができます。
　一番人気はやはり手作りの五平餅で、テレビ番組で「伝説の五平餅」と紹介されたこともあります。形はわらじ型で、くるみも入っているタレが美味しく、私や私の両親は「飯高観音を参拝したら、観音茶屋の五平餅を食べなくちゃ！」と思っているほどです。
　但し、地元の有志による営業のため、季節によって営業日が違っていたり、感染症対策に合わせて商品数や販売数が変わりますので、注意が必要です。あらかじめ電話でメニューや販売数の確認したり、当日の営業時間の早いうちに予約するといいそうです。

公式サイトはこちらからどうぞ。