“Pay the Plague” Stone Buddha Special Opening March 15 18:09 pray for the convergence of the new coronavirus infection

At a shrine in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture, a stone buddha supposedly repelling the plague was opened to the public in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, and visitors were praying that the infection would subside.

There are twelve stone Buddhas in Homisu Hachimangu Shrine in Imizu that are said to repel plagues.

Although it is not normally released, it was released specially on the 15th due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

The visitors came together in front of the Stone Buddha, praying that the infection of the new coronavirus would subside, and bringing back a card praying for no illness.

According to the shrine, when the cholera became popular in the late Edo period, people prayed to the stone Buddha for eradication of the plague.

A local woman in her 80s said, "I came to remember this shrine if I had any major problems from a young age."

Mr. Yasushi Otomo of Hakumangu Shrine said, "A lot of people are coming after the spread of the new coronavirus, and I feel the impact of the infection. I hope that it will end as soon as possible."