Senyoji in Chiba is stop No. 29 on the Bando Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage. Earlier goshuin and grounds photographs are accompanied by the official seasonal goshuin hours. Winter and summer hours differ, which matters when planning your visit.
Goshuin/Visit confirmation items for Senyoji Temple
- Goshuin hours (April–October)
- The official information for Bando Thirty-three Kannon is 8:00-17:00.
- Goshuin hours (November–March)
- 9:00-16:00. Please check winter hours when visiting in November.
- Temple/Principal Image
- Bando No. 29, this is a temple of the Toyozan school of the Shingon sect that enshrines the Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva.
- Goshuin offering · Individual support
- Please check with the temple for the current goshuin offering, break time, and entry support. Phone: 043-261-3723.
Visiting the Great Ginkgo and the 29th Temple
The official introduction to the temple states that the grounds are decorated with cherry blossoms and peonies in spring, and large ginkgo biloba in autumn. Autumn leaves and flowering change depending on the weather, so it does not mean that you will always see the same scenery as shown in the photo. Please use this as a guide for seasonal visits.
If requesting a pilgrimage goshuin, explain which pilgrimage book and temple entry you need, then open the appropriate page. The official pilgrimage guide notes that service and visiting hours may change with temple circumstances. Enquire before leaving if travelling a long way.
Access and location map
The temple is at 161 Chibaderacho, Chuo-ku, Chiba City. The Bando pilgrimage association gives approximately 3 minutes or 0.5 km from Matsugaoka Interchange, with parking available. Check current transport information for local services and bus stops.
Address: 161 Chibaderacho, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture.
Open Senyoji Temple on Google Maps/Check route
Previous visit records and photos (posted in 2014)
The following account preserves the original visit experience and historical introduction. The photographs and encounters at the counter date from that publication; they do not describe a new visit. Old access instructions have been replaced by the checked information above. Historical accounts and spiritual benefits are presented as traditions and beliefs.
Sea Mountain Senyoji Temple is the 29th temple of the Bando 33 Kannon Sacred Sites. There is Takikura Shrine within the grounds.
It is believed that it was founded before the Nara period, and is said to be one of the oldest temples in Chiba Prefecture.
The guide says “Senyoji,” but the guide map inside the shrine also says “Chibadera.”
Gohonzon
Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva
The large door of the main hall is always closed, but it is said that if you pray earnestly, Kannon will grant your wish.
It is said to be held on the 21st festival of every month, but since the main image is a secret Buddha, it can only be seen once every 33 years.
History and traditions
According to "Senyoji Temple Engi," the monk Gyoki in the 2nd year of Wado (709) said, “Inside a pond there was a Chiba blue lotus with two flowers blooming on one stem, and within the flowers there were two statues of Mida Tathagata and Kannon Daishi lined up, and he preached the sermon.” It is said that the origin of this festival is when people saw a lotus flower, carved a statue of Kannon, and dedicated it to them.
After that, by the imperial command of Emperor Shomu, it came to be called “Kaishoyama (now Mt. Kaijo) Senyoji Temple,” and a Kannon-do hall with 18 rooms and four sides was built.
It is confirmed that during the Nara period, there was a large temple complex on the grounds of the vast temple, including the main hall, lecture hall, south gate, east gate, and west gate, but no trace of it remains today.
Hymn
“As I prayed to Senyoji Temple, I felt comfortable wearing a boat in the waves rolling on the shore.”
The person from the temple was in the back, but there was a guide over the intercom, so I called out to him and answered him.
Bando Thirty-three Kannon
I received goshuin and the official goshuin book (gold brocade) at the 29th temple of the sacred place. (¥2000 including goshuin)
This is what I received when I had goshuin book stamped.
It is like a small amulet with a sacred poem written on it, and it is said to be a commemoration of the Heisei 26 (2014) Horse Festival Special Marriage Pilgrimage, which is held once every 12 years.
I also received a guidebook for visiting the 33 Kannon temples by car.
Big ginkgo
This tree is a prefecture-designated natural monument and is said to be over 1,000 years old.
Notes from the visit
-
- Nio statue “Un”
-
- Nio statue “A”
-
- Benzaiten
Sources and scope of verification
- Kaizoyama Senyoji Temple | Bando Thirty-three Kannon Official Website: Bando 29th, sect/principal image, address/telephone, seasonal delivery times, parking lot, information from IC, cherry blossoms, peonies, ginkgos.
Official sources were checked on 2026-11-07. At this time, we have not been able to confirm any changes to the current goshuin offering and the handling of lunch breaks/reception due to memorial services on the day, etc. Designs, prices and arrangements shown in earlier photographs may have changed.
Goshuin and travel information has been checked against official and other cited sources, with unconfirmed points identified. Earlier photographs and personal experiences remain records of their original visits. Check the stated dates for limited designs.