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Doukutsu Kannon, Tokumei-en, and Yamatoku Memorial Hall

A Hidden Masterpiece of Modern Buddhist Art in the Heart of Takasaki

Explore a 400-meter long man-made cave filled with exquisite Kannon statues and an adjacent Japanese garden for a unique fusion of spiritual devotion and artistic vision.
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Step into an underground world where Buddhist paintings come to life in stone, carved with meticulous care over a lifetime of dedication.

Step into an underground world where Buddhist paintings come to life in stone, carved with meticulous care over a lifetime of dedication.

Hidden beneath Takasaki's Mount Kannon hills lies Doukutsu Kannon, an extraordinary man-made cave temple housing 39 stunning Kannon statues. Each sculpture was painstakingly carved by master craftsman Rakuzan Takahashi, with some pieces requiring up to a year to complete. What makes this site truly exceptional isn't just the artistry of individual statues, but how they're presented: set against hand-crafted backdrops of volcanic rock and Sanbaseki stones that bring figures from traditional Buddhist paintings into a three-dimensional reality.
The visionary behind this ambitious project was Tokuzo Yamada, a self-made merchant who rose from humble beginnings as a textile peddler to amass great wealth through trade. Rather than keeping his fortune, Yamada devoted everything to this grand endeavor, believing firmly that "wealth should not be privatized." He collaborated closely with Takahashi on design, ensuring each statue's elegant robes and balanced proportions reflected a refined, modern aesthetic. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 17°C year-round, offering respite during summer's heat—making it an ideal destination for cool contemplation.
The visionary behind this ambitious project was Tokuzo Yamada, a self-made merchant who rose from humble beginnings as a textile peddler to amass great wealth through trade. Rather than keeping his fortune, Yamada devoted everything to this grand endeavor, believing firmly that "wealth should not be privatized". He collaborated closely with Takahashi on design, ensuring each statue's elegant robes and balanced proportions reflected a refined, modern aesthetic. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 17°C year-round, offering respite during summer's heat—making it an ideal destination for cool contemplation.
Adjacent to the cave sits Tokumei-en, a spectacular Japanese garden spanning approximately 20,000 square meters across sloping terrain. Created using earth excavated during the cave's construction, the garden features distinctive elements including massive Sanbaseki stone formations, hardened lava transported by rail from Mount Asama, and native red pine trees alongside black pines from Niigata. The garden centers around Urashima Pond and showcases seasonal beauty from spring cherry blossoms to spectacular autumn foliage illuminations.
On the garden grounds, the Yamatoku Memorial Hall preserves Yamada's former residence, a unique structure that combines a Taisho-era Western building with a traditional Japanese house. Now designated as a Scenic Building of Takasaki City, it houses exhibits detailing Yamada's remarkable eighty-year journey and his friendship with manga pioneer Rakuten Kitazawa, who named the garden "Tokumei-en".
Though Yamada's original vision called for an 800-meter long cave, construction halted at 450 meters when workers encountered impenetrable bedrock. He passed away in 1964, leaving his masterpiece technically unfinished—yet undeniably complete in spirit and artistic achievement.
©Toshiko Sakurai
Address
2857 Ishiharamachi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture
Phone number
+81-27-323-3766
Business hours
Summer Season: April 1 – December 15 / Winter Season: December 16 – March 31
WEB site
https://yamatokuen.com/
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