Manshūji Temple

Manshiji Temple in Mitarai traces its founding legend to the warlord Taira no Kiyomori, who reportedly enshrined a Kannon statue here after surviving a storm. The existing Kannondo hall dates from 1718. On the grounds are monuments to haiku poets including a stone inscribed with verse by Matsuo Basho, reflecting the literary culture that developed here through exchanges with Ryukyuan scholars passing through on their tribute missions to Edo. A 1806 temple nameplate gifted by one such Ryukyuan delegation is preserved inside. The surrounding stone wall, built using the midarekizuki technique, was designated a Tangible Cultural Property in 1999.