Understand
[edit]Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage (中国三十三観音霊場 chugoku san-juu-san kannon reijou) was designated a pilgrimage route in 1981. Each of the thirty-three temples on this pilgrimage route is located in Japan's Chugoku Region and worships Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
Although the pilgrimage route officially consists of thirty-three temples, there are an additional four temples considered to be "Special Sacred Temples" (特別霊場 tokubetsu-reijō) that, despite not being given numbers, are considered to be part of the pilgrimage route.
Prepare
[edit]Temples
[edit]Okayama
[edit]
1. 1 Saidaiji Temple (西大寺), Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. 
2. 2 Yokeiji Temple (餘慶寺), Setouchi, Okayama Prefecture.
3. 3 Shorakuji Temple (正楽寺), Bizen, Okayama Prefecture.
Special Sacred Temple: 1 Tanjoji (誕生寺), Kumenan, Okayama Prefecture.
4. 4 Kiyamaji Temple (木山寺), Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture.
5. 5 Hokai-in Temple (法界院), Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.
6. 6 Rendaiji Temple (蓮台寺), Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.
7. 7 Entsuji Temple (円通寺), Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.
Hiroshima
[edit]
8. 8 Myouou-in Temple (明王院), Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture.
9. 9 Jodoji Temple (浄土寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Special Sacred Temple: 2 Saikokuji Temple (西國寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
10. 10 Senkoji Temple (千光寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
11. 11 Kojoji Temple (向上寺), Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
12. 12 Buttsuji Temple (佛通寺), Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture.
13. 13 Mitakidera Temple (三瀧寺), Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture.
14. 14 Daisho-in Temple (大聖院), Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Yamaguchi
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Special Sacred Temple: 3 Hannyaji Temple (般若寺), Hirao, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
15. 15 Kanyoji Temple (漢陽寺), Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
16. 16 Tojunji Temple (洞春寺), Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
17. 17 Ryuzoji Temple (龍蔵寺), Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
18. 18 Sorinji Temple (宗隣寺), Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
19. 19 Kozanji Temple (功山寺), Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
20. 20 Daisho-in Temple (大照院), Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
21. 21 Kannon-in Temple (観音院), Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Shimane
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22. 22 Tadaji Temple (多陀寺), Hamada, Shimane Prefecture.
23. 23 Kandoji Temple (神門寺), Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
24. 24 Zenjoji Temple (禅定寺), Unnan, Shimane Prefecture.
25. 25 Gakuenji Temple (鰐淵寺), Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
26. 26 Ichihataji Temple (一畑寺), Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
27. 27 Unjuji Temple (雲樹寺), Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture.
28. 28 Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺), Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture.
Tottori
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29. 29 Daisenji Temple (大山寺), Daisen, Tottori Prefecture.
30. 30 Hase-dera (長谷寺), Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture.
31. 31 Sanbutsuji Temple (三仏寺), Misasa, Tottori Prefecture. famous for its Nageiredo ("thrown-in chapel")
Special Sacred Temple: 4 Maniji Temple (摩尼寺), Tottori, Tottori Prefecture.
32. 32 Kannon-in Temple (観音院), Tottori, Tottori Prefecture.
33. 33 Daiun-in Temple (大雲院), Tottori, Tottori Prefecture.
Events
[edit]Touring a temple is sometimes more fun on special occasions and festival days. Below are some festivals and special events held at the temples along the pilgrimage route.
- Saidaiji Eyo - The infamous Naked Man Festival held at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama Held on the third Saturday in February.
- Hagi Lantern Festival (萩万灯会). 19:30-21:30. The lanterns surrounding the Mori Clan graves are lit up at Daishoin Temple on August 13.