Cave Kannon

Overview

The Cave Kannon was built by Tokuzo Yamada, a kimono merchant from Takasaki, over 50 years from the Taisho to Showa periods. Born in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, Tokuzo made his fortune as a kimono merchant. However, he believed in using his wealth for the benefit of society, and invested his private funds to build the Cave Kannon. The cave houses 39 Kannon statues created by Rakuzan Takahashi, a stone sculptor from Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Each Kannon statue is believed to grant different blessings, and visitors offer their prayers. The cave maintains a temperature of around 17°C (63°F) throughout the year, making it cool in summer and warm in winter. The adjacent Tokumeien Garden is a Japanese garden created with the soil excavated during the construction of the Cave Kannon. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season, such as fresh green leaves and Japanese skunk cabbage in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn leaves in fall. The garden is illuminated during the autumn foliage season, creating a magical atmosphere. At the heart of Tokumeien is the Yamatoku Memorial Museum, the residence where Tokuzo spent his later years. The museum displays Tokuzo's collections and materials. Tokuzo was also friends with Rakuten Kitazawa, a pioneer of modern manga, who named the garden 'Tokumeien'. The Cave Kannon is a unique tourist spot filled with the passion and vision of Tokuzo Yamada.