Pilgrimage of 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku

The pilgrimage of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku is the general term for the 88 temples associated with Kukai.

It is also simply called the 88 Temples or ‘O Shikoku San.’

Making the pilgrimage around the 88 sacred temples is called ‘Henro,’ and the people who take part in Henro are called ‘O Henro San.’

The five temples from #60 to #64 are in Saijo City.

Yokomineji Temple ( #60 )

At an elevation of 740m, Yokomineji Temple is the third highest of the 88 Sacred Temples.

In terms of walking Henro, Yokomineji Temple is a difficult destination for its precipitous route.

The passage of Henro has been designated a historic landmark of Japan.

The temple grounds are famous for rhododendrons and hydrangea.

En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo, erected the temple in 651, and its principal object of worship is one of the Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, the seated figure of Dainichi Nyorai (Vairocana), which is carved from Japanese cypress.

(Address) Saijo-shi Komatsu-cho Ishizuchi-ko 2253

(Tel) 0897-59-0142

Koonji Temple ( #61 )

Shotoku Taishi (Prince Umayado) founded this temple for his father Emperor Yomei’s convalescence from illness.

Later, Kobo Daishi established the temple as a sacred ground reserved for four oaths: easy childbirth, child rearing, surrogacy, and women’s entrance into Nirvana.

Koonji is a modern temple constructed with reinforced concrete.

(Address) Saijo-shi Komatsu-cho Minamigawa-ko 19

(Tel) 0898-72-3861

Hojuji Temple ( #62 )

Emperor Shomu called the temple, built during the Tempyo Era, Kongohoji Temple.

Later, Kobo Daishi renamed it Hojuji Temple after introducing the eleven-faced Kannon or Avalokiteshvara as its principal object of worship.

He also carved the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva in the likeness of Empress Komyo.

It grants blessings and amasses faith as the Kannon for easy childbirth.

(Address) Saijo-shi Komatsu-cho Shinyashiki-ko 428

(Tel) 0898-72-2210

Kichijoji Temple ( #63 )

The principal object of worship is Bishamonten, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.

Kichijoji Temple is the only temple like this among the 88 Sacred Temples.

At the right-hand side of the hand-washing station in the main temple building, there is a stone called the Joju seki, which has a hole through it.

Those who finish paying homage to the shrine close their eyes and walk from the main building to the Joju seki.

If their pilgrim’s staffs pass through the hole, their wishes are said to come true.

The temple is also called the rice-bearing Daigongen, the manifestation of a Buddha as a Shinto god, so it is also fervent with the faith of farmers.

(Address) Saijo-shi Himi-otsu 1048

(Tel) 0897-57-8863

Maegamiji Temple ( #64 )

In the past, Maegamiji Temple and Ishizuchi Shrine, directly to the west of the temple, had been one structure.

During Mount Ishizuchi’s “mountain-opening” in July, tens of thousands of believers climb to the peak of Mount Ishizuchi while praising Buddha’s name after overcoming the Kurose Mountain Pass from Maegamiji Temple.

In recent years, the Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha), the temple’s principal object of worship, has been enshrined in the main building.

The temple has a deep connection to the Imperial Household of Japan as successive emperors have offered their dedications to Buddha at Maegamiji Temple.

(Address) Saijo-shi Sunouchi-ko 1426

(Tel) 0897-56-6995

Route to the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku

To reach Temple #60, Yokomineji, please take the Setouchi bus bound for Nishinokawa or the Ishizuchi Ropeway from the #2 bus stop in front of Iyo-Saijo Station.

Alight at the Yokomineji Guchi bus stop.

Transfer to the Yokomineji Tozan bus bound for Sancho (the summit) and alight at the final bus stop.

Yokomineji Temple is a 15-min walk away.

Temple #61, Koonji, is a 15-min walk from Iyo-Komatsu Station on the JR Yosan line.

Temple #62, Hojuji, is a min away from Iyo-Komatsu Station on the JR Yosan line.

Temple #63, Kichijoji, is a 3-min walk from Iyo-Himi Station on the JR Yosan line.

Temple #64, Maegamiji, is a 10-min walk from Ishizuchi Station on the JR Yosan line.

To reach Temple #65, Sankakuji, please take the Setouchi bus bound for Shingu from Iyo-Mishima Station on the JR Yosan line.

Alight at the Sankakuji Guchi bus stop.

The temple is a 45-min walk away.