Sendai Daikannon & Yamadera Temple Day Tour

Two spiritual landmarks in one day across the Tohoku region

A day tour from Sendai combines two major Buddhist sites: the Daikannon statue, Japan's tallest Kannon at 100 meters, and Yamadera Temple (Risshaku-ji), where the poet Matsuo Basho made his pilgrimage over 350 years ago. The tour includes transportation between sites, admission to both attractions, and a live English-speaking guide. Lunch is on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Sendai Daikannon and Yamadera Temple

• See Sendai Daikannon Statue
• Lunch break
• Explore Yamadera Temple entrance
• View Konponchudo and Basho statue
• Enjoy temple tranquility and scenery

The experience

Sendai's Daikannon Statue rises 100 meters into the sky as the tallest Kannon in Japan and the tenth-tallest statue in the world. Known formally as Sendai Tendou Byakue Daikannon, she represents the Bodhisattva Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, holding a wish-fulfilling jewel in her right hand and a water flask pouring the water of wisdom in her left. You'll have time to take in her scale and presence before the group breaks for lunch.

After lunch, the tour heads toward Yamadera Temple, officially Risshaku-ji, nestled at the foot of a mountain. At the entrance you'll encounter Konponchudo, a nationally designated important cultural property, along with a statue of Matsuo Basho, the haiku poet who visited this temple over 350 years ago during his travels along the Oku no Hosomichi (Narrow Road to the Deep North). Basho's poem about the temple (capturing the stillness broken by cicadas seeping into the rocks) still shapes how visitors experience the site today.

The full day spans seven hours with an English-speaking guide leading the group. Transportation between Sendai and both attractions is included, as are admission fees at each site. You'll need moderate physical fitness for the temple visit, which involves walking the grounds and potentially climbing.

What’s included

• Transportation between Sendai and both the Daikannon statue and Yamadera Temple.
• admission fees at both attractions.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Is this one for you?This tour works best for small groups or individuals comfortable with a full day of travel and walking, since the two sites are separated by distance and the temple grounds require moving through the space. The fixed itinerary and shared guide mean you'll move with the group's pace rather than setting your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How tall is the Sendai Daikannon statue?

The Daikannon statue reaches 100 meters (330 feet) into the sky, making it the tallest Kannon statue in Japan and the tenth-tallest statue in the world.

What is Yamadera Temple and why is it significant?

Yamadera Temple, formally called Risshaku-ji, is a major Buddhist site in the Tohoku region where the poet Matsuo Basho made his pilgrimage over 350 years ago. His visit left a lasting impression on the temple's spiritual legacy, and visitors today still experience the tranquility he described in his haiku.

What does the tour include and what do I need to arrange myself?

The tour includes transportation to and from both attractions, admission fees at the Daikannon statue and Yamadera Temple, and a live English-speaking guide. Lunch is not included, so you'll choose where and what to eat during the break.

How long is this tour and what's the physical demand?

The tour runs seven hours total. You'll need at least moderate physical fitness, as the temple visit involves walking the grounds. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.