Fukushima Photo Tours has temples and shrines as a large part of their appeal. Since the Heian period, temples and shrines have been constructed and maintained. Even today, in the range of relatively few kilometers, a visiting photographer can see one of the Aizu regions most remarkable features, the three famous Kannons.
The first temple that your Japan Dreamscapes Photography Tour Leader suggests is Eryu-ji Temple in Aizubange town. This temple is home to a thousand armed Kannon. The Kannon is called the Tachiki Kannon, and it is made out of zelkova wood, a tree common to Asia, specifically Japan and Korea. All of this combined means an amazing photo op. The hall’s history reaches back to the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333), and it is a national important cultural property. The grounds around the temple are represent the pastoral simplicity coupled to many sects of Buddhism, and the balance of nature with the manmade make among the beautiful natural landscape surrounding the temple.
Your next photo op on your Fukushima Photo Tour is Nishiaizu with Nyohoji Temple. The Kannon is of course important at this temple as well, but it is a much rarer sight only being revealed during certain festivals during spring and fall bringing many local residents and visitors to the temple. If you are interested in seeing this Kannon and photographing it, then please ask your JDS Photo Workshop Leader, and leave the rest to us. When taking photos at this temple, make sure to pay close attention to the eaves of the temple. The mythos is that if you find all three of the monkey that are engraved there, that good luck will follow you on your travels. Your JDS Photo Leader has found them already on his many excursions to the temple, but the burning question is, will you? The multi-colored hanging tapestries hanging from the temple’s exterior walls make the visit magical as you enjoy culture, architectural, and natural landscape photography.
The final temple is Koan-ji temple, so names because of its construction during the Koan Era, in 1279. The third Kannon here is believed to offer fulfillment of earnest wishes while within the temple’s walls. We at JDS are always hoping for once in a lifetime photos, but you may wish for whatever you please while you visit and photograph the hall and surrounding temple grounds. Every element of the temple speaks to its rich history, and each piece of the temple means a new opportunity for an amazing photo.