Panoramic Views of Castle Town Chofu: A Trail of the 33 Kannon Stone Statues
Mt. Juntei is a 177-meter-high mountain offering scenic vistas over the cityscape of Chofu, extending out to the twin islands of Manju and Kanju floating in the Seto Inland Sea. With its trailhead located behind Kakuon-ji Temple, it is also locally known as Mt. Kakuon-ji. The mountain's defining feature is its pilgrimage trail lined with stone statues of the 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas of the Saigoku Pilgrimage. It is said that completing this short hike bestows the same spiritual merit as completing the entire traditional pilgrimage route. Beautifully maintained by local volunteers, the trail takes roughly 30 minutes to reach the summit, making it easily accessible in a pair of running shoes. Even if you are not an avid hiker, pausing to admire the peaceful stone figures along the way makes the climb feel effortless. These statues were carved between 1930 and 1931 by stonemason Daikichi Hayashi in collaboration with Master Hando Shindo, supported by donations from local patrons and prominent figures. In recent years, the mountain has gained popularity among younger visitors not only for hiking, but also for trail running. On weekends, the trail comes alive with outdoor enthusiasts exchanging refreshing greetings along the path. It is the kind of trail that inspires you to keep coming back until you can run all the way to the top without stopping.
Mt. Juntei:
Address: 3-3-8 Chofu Anyoji, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi 752-0962(The trail head is located behind Kakuon-ji Temple)
