Losing someone you love is a painful, horrible part of life, but believing that they are being watched over in the afterlife can offer great comfort. This Golden Mizuko Kannon statue in the town of Ushita is said to watch over the souls of children that have died and she is surrounded by small Mizuko Jizo statues with their red bibs who are believed to play a similar role.
At this same temple, there is also a pet cemetery and small house where people can store their pet's ashes and momentos. The location is quite beautiful, set right next to the forest, it was quite peaceful walking around these temple grounds. This temple is especially beautiful when the sky is blue to contrast the gold statue, or in spring (late march/early april) when the cherry blossoms on the grounds are in bloom.
