Avalokiteshvara, or Kannon as she is known in Japanese, is the buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion, venerated throughout thousands of temples in Japan since the 6th century. Kannon pilgrimages are typically made up of 33 holy sites, deriving from a belief that the all-seeing goddess can assume 33 different forms –some of which have 11 faces or 1000 arms– to aid those in need.

The Kai-no-Kuni 33 Kannon is a pilgrimage circuit spanning 33 temples scattered in modern-day Yamanashi prefecture, number 6 of which is Fukakusa Kannon, a secluded location accessible through the forest leading to Mount Yogaizan.
Few people know about this holy site, making for a truly mystical experience as you make your way through the quiet temple grounds dotted with dozens of statues of the thousand-armed, eleven-faced goddess. A steep, 17-meter high ladder dated 1928 leads to the prayer altar, hidden within a cave, though more prudent hikers can choose to go up the nearby chain-assisted path instead.

Fukakusa Kannon’s principal object of worship is kept inside nearby Zuigan-ji temple for most of the year, but is transported back to the inner forest sanctuary every year on April 17th during a ceremony that attracts many visitors.
The image is only unveiled once every 33 years, the next time being in 2052.