Hozenji Temple is a representative Buddhist structure built in the late Edo period. It is selected as one of 100 Ibaraki Scenic Beauty and designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the prefecture. The temple was established more than 1,000 years ago in the 3rd year of Tencho era (828) in the Heian period by Hozen Dojin, who place Senju Kannon (Kannon with 1,000 arms) as the main object of worship at this temple. It was prosperous as an Imperial temple of Emperor Junna at its time of the establishment. Later in 1713, it was designated as one of 8 powerful temples of Tendai Sect in Kanto Region and functioned as a training school for young priests. There are a lot of cultural properties preserved at this temple including prefectural cultural properties of Nio-Gate, Shoin Hall, and Kuri (priests’ quarters), the wooden statue of Kongo-Rikishi, Gokorei (five-pronged bell), Gokosho (five-pronged pestle), and Myoho-Rengekyo Sutra. The Main Hall, which was built in 1842, is the largest Kannon hall in Japan. If you stand in front of this hall, you will be overwhelmed and know how large it is!