Left Downward Kannon

【A Prayer Corridor Blooming on the Cliff】 Encounter the serene aerial palace at 'Left Descending Kannon'

In the mountains of Aizumisato Town, a sight that will make you doubt your eyes unfolds. Built against a massive rock wall, the three-story structure known as 'Kakezukuri' — this is the 21st sacred site of the Aizu Thirty-Three Kannon, 'Left Descending Kannon'. Believed to have been founded by the great priest Kobo Daishi Kukai during the Heian period, this place is truly worthy of being called a 'heavenly sanctuary' where the harshness of nature and human prayers blend together.

■ The Aesthetics of 'Kakezukuri' Embracing the Giant Rock

This architecture, reminiscent of 'Kiyomizu's Stage', skillfully utilizes the protruding rock bed and is constructed with a framework of pillars.

• Coexistence with Nature: Upon entering the hall, the natural rock surface that soars through the floor is exposed, allowing you to feel the seamless coexistence of artificial structures and the great outdoors.
• A Corridor Crossing the Sky: Standing at the edge of the stage, a refreshing breeze sweeps through the Aizu Basin, and below you lies a panoramic view of the forest that changes color with the seasons.

■ Prayers to the Kannon Statue Marking Eternal Time

The Kannon statue enshrined in the cave has long been revered as a guardian deity that alleviates the suffering of the local people and bestows wisdom.

• A Quietude Reached by Walking: After about fifteen minutes of walking along the lush approach from the parking lot, surrounded only by the chirping of birds and the sound of the river, the enormous palace that appears before you brings deep emotion and tranquility to the traveler’s heart.

Across a millennium, a gaze of compassion continues to watch over Aizu from the cliff's edge. Would you like to ascend to the stage of Left Descending Kannon and surrender yourself to its overwhelming beauty and the tranquil time that purifies the soul?