Endangered 33 Kannon Pilgrimages

 

     In 40 years from 1983 to 2022, 703 temples disappeared.  From 2013 to 2022 alone, 279 temples disappeared.  As temples disappear, so will 33 Kannon Pilgrimages.  Some of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimages have already lost their member temples.  Here, I’m going to virtually visit pilgrimages on the verge of extinction.

     Ishikari 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized along the Ishikari River in the northern half of the Ishikari Plain.  In the southern half, the plain has Sapporo.  But the northern half is rapidly losing population.  Villages have been deserted, and the temples have been out of business.  JR Sassho Line, which used to run along the right bank of the Ishikari River, was to be taken out of service in May 7th, 2020, but, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the last service was moved forward to April 17th, without any good-bye ceremony.