Mar 29, 2013 - 1 min read

Ushita-yama Kannon-ji

Interesting temple & pet cemetery

By JJ Walsh

Community writer

Guardian of children who left us before their time

View out to the community from the path behind the statue

Ornate lanterns at the base of the golden kannon

Mizuko Jizo statues apparently also help protect the innocent souls of children in the afterlife

The staff a Jizo carries is said to ward off evil, hungry ghosts.

Guardians at the entrance to the temple give us the okay sign- could it be?

The entrance to the temple at the other side has huge hands in praying gesture

Altar at the shrine dedicated to beloved pets that have been lost

Pets ashes are stored in these beautiful ornate boxes

A pet's favorite ball, food and photograph are kept with their ashes.

Losing someone you love is a painful, horrible part of life, but believing that they are being watched over in the afterlife can offer great comfort. This Golden Mizuko Kannon statue in the town of Ushita is said to watch over the souls of children that have died and she is surrounded by small Mizuko Jizo statues with their red bibs who are believed to play a similar role.

At this same temple, there is also a pet cemetery and small house where people can store their pet's ashes and momentos. The location is quite beautiful, set right next to the forest, it was quite peaceful walking around these temple grounds. This temple is especially beautiful when the sky is blue to contrast the gold statue, or in spring (late march/early april) when the cherry blossoms on the grounds are in bloom.