Nagahama City in Shiga is a treasure trove of Buddhist cultural artifacts, among which many are statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva (called Kannon in Japanese). In fact, there are almost as many statues as there are separate settlements, and all of them are still reverently protected by the villagers to this day.

■Shakudoji Temple
Statue of Eleven-faced Kannon (Important Cultural Property)
The statue of Eleven-faced Kannon kept here, said to have been created toward the end of the Heian period (794 - 1185), is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Carved from a single block of Zelkova wood, the crimson that remains on its lips even today is an indicator of the vivid colors that once adorned it.

Admission Times：　9:00 - 16:00
Admission Charges：　￥300
URL：http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/166

■Keisokuji Temple
Statue of Eleven-faced Kannon (Important Cultural Property)
The main statue of Keisokuji Temple, a bold piece created from a single piece of Japanese cypress, still has its lacquer color basecoat intact. It is thought to have been carved at some point between the start and the middle of the Heian period (794 - 1185).

Admission Times：　9:00 - 17:00 (April - November)、9:00 - 16:00 （December - March)
Admission Charges：　￥500
URL：http://kitabiwako.jp/spot/spot_967/