【Pilgrim’s Song】
The little fountain of the green dragon.
A pledge of the protection of Buddhismく

History and origin of Shoryuji

When you go on pilgrimage through Shoryuji, you cross “Usano Ohashi”. Until the opening of the bridge in 1973, pilgrims crossed the bay entrance of Uranouchi Bay of about 400m by boat. Kobo Daishi also crossed this bay by boat when he built Shoryuji Temple. There were 8 people of that region left. It is reported that their descendants have been protecting this ferry, the “Dragon Pass”, for generations until today.
Kobo Daishi went to the Tang Dynasty and studied Buddhism at Shoryuji Temple in Chang’an, and was given the secret of Shingon by Kazuhisa Eika and became the eighth holder of the tradition. In 806, the first year of the Daidō era, he returned home. According to Engi, Daishi prayed that he would be able to choose a victorious spot by throwing a vajra (tokko) toward the eastern sky in order to build a temple in Japan and grant him favor. The vajra (tokko) was wrapped in purple clouds and flew away high in the sky.

After returning home, when Daishi was traveling on pilgrimage in this area, he felt that the “tokko” was in an old pine on the mountain by the inner shrine, and at the behest of the Emperor Tatsumi (reigned 809-23) Daishi built a temple in this area in the 6th year of the Kōnin era, enshrined a stone Fudo Myo statue, and named the temple Shoryuji . The the mountain number was named “Tokko” from the vajra released from a certain foreign country.
Until the Meiji period, it was said to be Tosa 7 Dai-ji Temple, and it was a famous temple with Sueji Yotsuji Temple and Wakibo Rokubo. It is also said that the statue of the priest’s immovable (waveless) Fudo Myoo was founded by the Daishi in order to calm down the storm when he entered the country, and is still deeply believed to be able to calm down tempests, provide voyage safety, grant fertility, and protect those on rough seas.

The highlights of Shoryuji

Aizen Myoza, Okunoin, Yokonami Prefectural Natural Park (Uranouchi Bay on the north side and magnificent Pacific Ocean view on the south side)

Temple 36 Fudasho: Tokkozan Ishanain Shoryuji

Access

Location

Usamachi Ryu 163, Tosa, Kochi 781-1165

Tel

088-856-3010

Parking

20 cars (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Tosa Interchange, take Route 56 and Prefectural Road 39 to Usa-cho, Tosa City. Run along prefectural road 23 and prefectural road 47 along the sea and turn right at the bus stop.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Kiyotakiji Temple is the heart that draws clear water
Wave feathers on the rocks

The history and origin of Kiyotakiji

The northern part of Tosa city. Located on the hillside of Mt. Mio, this is Kochi prefecture’s paper known for its Tosa Washi and handmade shoji paper. If you trace the source, you will find that it is a sacred place with Kobo Daishi and has an inseparable relationship. It is a place of great religion that reveals the “Mitsumata” (trident) and is an important source of water for making Japanese paper.
According to Engi, Gyoki Bodhisattva came here by pilgrimage in year 7 of the Yōrō era, and in this area he sensed the spirit and carved the statue of Yakushi Nyorai. It is said that this was the principal building of the temple and that it opened at the beginning with the name “Keizan-mitsuin / Taku-mokujii”. Kobo Daishi visited during the Kōnin era (810-24). He built a platform on a rock about 300m above the main hall and prayed for the good harvest of the five grains and practiced 17 days of training for the Akai Gongen (water offering ritual) and the Ryuo Gongen (dragon king ritual). When he pierced the platform with his priest’s staff on the day of the fulfilment of vows, water sprang forth out from above the stone and turned into a mirror-like pond. Therefore, the name of the mountain, the name of the temple, were changed as they are now, making it a sacred place.

This water not only irrigates the paddy fields, but also reveals the “Mitsumata” (trident) and was useful in paper-making, and eventually contributed to the Tosa Washi industry.
In Buddhist legend, the third prince of Emperor Heijō (reigned 806-09) left his house to tell of Kobo Daishi’s dream and was named Shinnyo (Tathata-“the ultimate nature of all things”). Shinnyo visited this temple, prayers were said for the increase in health and prosperity and protection from disaster, he reconstructed the 5-ring tower, and later envoys with the Tang Dynasty began. One of Daishi’s ten apprentices was there. Also, during the Edo period, the Tosa lord was heavily relied on, and received a donation from the temple territory.
It is a famous temple for praying for the eradication of bad luck and ill omens, and its symbol is a large statue of Yakushi Nyorai, which is higher than the main building roof.

The highlights of Kiyotakiji

Honjo, Amulet Yakushi Nyorai Statue, Inverse Tower (A tower that scourge yourself before life. It is now regarded as a “exclusive access mountain”.)

Temple 35 Fudasho: Iouzan Kyouchiin Kiyotakiji

Access

Location

Takaokacho Tei 568-1 Tosa, Kochi 781-1104

Tel

088-852-0316

Parking

None

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

Turn left on National Route 56 from Tosa Interchange. Turn right at the next traffic light and go straight. About 3km.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Pray to enter Buddha’s Richness
And see the enlightened moon

The history and origin of Doryuji

As you pass through Niomon, bronze Kannon will greet you side by side. This area around the time of its founding was a vast mulberry field, which seemed to have been a production area for silk. According to Engi, in the fifth year of the Wadō era, it is said that the local lord, Wake Michitaka, cut a large mulberry tree, carved a small statue of Yakushi, and founded the beginning of the temple. Wake Michitaka saw a large mulberry tree in the surroundings that was about 5 meters tall, shining a mysterious light every night. When he wondered at this light and shot an arrow, a woman screamed and the family nanny fell down and died. Deeply grieved, Michitaka carved a Buddha statue from the mulberry tree, and placed it in the temple.

In the second year of the Daidō era, (807), Michitaka’s son, Asayu, begged Kobo Daishi, who returned home from the Tang Dynasty, to carve a 90-centimeter statue of Nakurai Yakushi himself. The statue was made the principle deity of the temple.
After being commanded by the Daishi, Asayu became the second priest, and used his ancestral fortune to build the temple, erected the seven structure temple, and named the temple “Doryuji” from the name of his father, the founder. The third is Kobo Daishi’s younger brother, Shinga Sōjō (Hōkō Daishi), who succeeded in the building of the 23 monasteries, and in the fourth, Enchin (Chishiro Daishi) carved a statue of the “Godai Myou Ou” (The Five Great Wisdom Kings), the statue of Aryavalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and built the Goma-do The next 5th holy treasure in the era of (Rigen Daishi), it has become the “Hōso Kiganjo”. The priests flourished one after another, but the temple buildings collapsed due to the Great Earthquake in the Jōgen era (976-78), the soldiers burned the grounds in third year of the Kōhei era (1060), and the “Tenshō Fires”, and yet the light of Buddha prevails.

The highlights of Dobruji

Sentokuin Hall of Fame, Kannon Statue, and Tera Treasure

Doryuji’s annual events

Regular goma

Date: January, May, September 28th, 13: 00-

Venue: Five Great Halls

Temple 77 Fudasho: Sotazan Myooin Doryuji

Access

Location

Tadotsu-cho Kita-gamo 1-3-30, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa 764-0022

Tel

0877-32-3577

Parking

Available (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

Enter the Tadotsu town area from Zentsuji interchange. Turn right at the T-junction with Prefectural Road 21 and go about 300m beyond the JR viaduct to Dobruji. Niomon is on the other side of the road.
　　⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Five grains seeds spread throughout the world
The deep sadness of Nyorai

The history and origin of Tanemaji

The coast of Tosa Bay is like a mecca of the Shikoku Sacred Sites. Tanemaji Temple is one of them, and it brings auspicious luck related to the voyages in Tosa Bay.
Around the 6th century. In the 577 year of Emperor Bintatsu, a scholarship letter from the Baekje prince (of ancient Korea) was given to his Buddhist teachers and craftsmanship along with a number of theories. They arrived in the days of Emperor Yomei (reign 585-87) for the construction of Shitennoji, in Osaka. At last he finished and was on his way home. Intense storms off Tosa led them to the port of Akiyama near Tanemaji. They carved a statue of about 145cm of Yakushi Nyozai and prayed at the top of Tanemaji. This is the origin of the temple.

More than 200 years later, Kobo Daishi, who returned from the Tang Dynasty, visited this area during the Kōnin era. The master enshrined the statue of Yakushi Nyorai as the principle deity, and built with various halls. It is said that Tanemaji Temple was named because the rice, wheat, foxtail millet, proso millet, beans, and mulled grains that were brought back from Tang at that time were sown in the precincts.
In the calendar year (947-57), Emperor Murakami (reign 946-67) was awarded a “Tanema” award. In addition, the protection from Tosa feudal lord Yamauchi was strong. Vast fields and forests have been donated and renovation of the hall was also being carried out. However, there was no mercy with the difficulties that came from the abolishment of Buddhism. The honzon yet keeps the “Medicine Buddha for Safe Delivery”, and many followers still come, and the bottomless ladles are still popular.

The highlights of Tanemaji

Bottomlesst ladles, Honzon, Hand purification bowl (the oldest town-designated cultural property. Built in 1677)

Annual events at Tanemaji

Book of honor

Date: New Year’s Day is March 8th

Temple 34 Fudasho: Motoozan, Suzakuin, Tanemaji

Access

Location

Haruno-cho Akiyama 72, Kochi, Kochi, 781-0321

Tel

088-894-2234

Parking

70 normal, 5 large (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Tosa Interchange, take Route 56 towards Harunocho.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
The road of travel is now Kofukuji
The pleasurable month of Akiake (dawn)

The history and origin of Sekkeiji

Katsurahama in Tosa Bay is known for its beautiful white sand. It is also famous for the bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, a lord at the end of the Edo period. Sekkeiji is about 4 km west from there. First of all, there are three characteristics of Sekkeiji.
The first is the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, which has only two temples among the 88 sites in Shikoku. It was founded by Kobo Daishi in the Kōnin era year 6 and was called Shingon Buddhism. It was called “Kōfukuji Temple”. Later, the name of the temple was changed to “Keiunji”, but the temple that had been destroyed was revived by Tosa lord and former chief Chosokabe Motochigo during the Sengoku period. He was invited to be the first priest as the founder of Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, to become the founder. He is the father of the resurgence. The father of the afterlife. The fourth son succeeded to establish the temple as their ancestral temple (Bodaiji), and changed the name of the temple to “Seikeiji Temple” from the name of his former parent, and still remains today.
The second is the famous Buddhist priest of the Kamakura period, Unkei and his eldest son, Tankei (the great sculptor), stayed at this temple. Unkei created the Yakushi Nyorai statue and the Sunlight of the Buddha triad, the illuminating Buddha. In addition, Tankei made the statues of Bishamonten and Kichijoten (the wife/sister of Bishamonten). It is said that he engraved a cute zenjishi doji statue in a slightly bowing pose and enshrined it. It was also for this reason, it was named Keiunji, discipleship, and 12 gods of the sea, of which there are 16 statues, are all designated as national important cultural properties.
The third is said to be the “Dojo of Nangaku”, and the early Edo priest, Kazuhisa Tenji, was active as the ancestor of the “Nangakuhanoso” School, and has produced many excellent Confucian scholars such as Nakano Nakakaneyama.
Gempō Yamamoto, who arrived at Sekikeiji Temple and completed the pilgrimages 17 times around Shikoku, was also a Zen abbot in Ryūtaku-ji and Shoin-ji.

The highlights of Sekkeiji

Tai Xuan Tower, Xuanfeng Tower, Tsukiho Kazuhitoki, Nobuyoshi’s Tomb (the eldest son of Chosogabe’s former parent. Following the Kyushu defeat of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he died with 700 vassals killed by Bungo.) 16 other sculptures and other important cultural properties

Annual events at Sekkeiji

Setsubun amulet / Hundred years

Date: February 3

Flower Festival

Date: April 8 of the lunar calendar

Bon / Sotoba

Date: July 1st Sunday

Demon

Date: October 2nd Sunday or 3rd Sunday

Nightlight Bell / Soba Entertainment

Date: December 31

Yasuko Anjizo Festival

Date: July 3rd Sunday

Temple 33 Fudasho: Koufukusan Koufukuin Sekkeiji

Access

Location

857-3 Nagahama, Kochi, 781-0270

Tel

088-837-2233

Parking

0 for normal, 5 for microbuses, 3 for large buses (6am-6pm, Shinpai “adjacent Fukujinja land”)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

Tonight Hall: Yes (no nightclothes) Must be put in by 17:00

Website

None

From Kochi Interchange, head toward Harimaya Bridge. From Prefectural Road 34, turn right at the intersection of Kochi-minami Post Office and park for 100m.
Or go up to the Seto Bypass and go down to the left of Yorakuji Temple and park on the left 20m.
Get off at Tosaden Traffic Nagahama.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Dance and prayers that leap to Amitabha -Dojoji Temple
Keep beat and strike and gong

History and origin of Goshoji

From the grounds, the view of the Seto Bridge over the Seto Inland Sea is stunning. It has prospered as a port town from the past, and it can be said to be the “front door of Shikoku”, so it is a sacred place with a deep relationship with high monks and famous monks. Locally known as “Yakuyoke Utazu Daishi”, (Warding off of evil Daishi) it is also the only Shikoku sacred place of “Jishuu” (sect of Buddhism). According to Engi, Goshoji was founded by Gyoki Bosatsu in the second year of the Jinki era. Gyoki sculpted a statue of Amida Nyorai about 55 cm in size, and enshrined it as the main deity, and was called “Bukkōzan / Dōjōji”. It is a remnant that the “Dōjōji” is enshrined in the “Goeika” (the pilgrim’s hymn in praise of Buddha). Afterwards, Kobo Daishi visited second year of the Daidō era (807) and felt that it was a land related to Buddhist law. He carved a statue of the Daishi himself and made a vow to ward off evil. This wooden statue of the Daishi is still widely worshiped as the “Yakuyoke Utazu Daishi”.

It is said that Rigen Daishi (Seihō 832-909), known as the founder of the Daigoji Temple in Kyoto, trained and practiced at this temple during the Ninju era (851-54), and also laid the theoretical foundation for Jōdo religion. It is said that the Buddhist monk city (Genshin, 942-1017) dedicated a picture of Shaka Nyorai, and built the Shakado in the Kanwa period (985-87). In addition, in 1243, when the author of “Nankai Ruroki” and the founder of the Chuin-ryu, Koyasan’s “Dohan’s dark pear”, became a temporary parable of this temple. The founder of the”Jishu sect”, Ippen Shonin (1239-89), stayed here in the first year of the Shōō era (1288) and spread the teachings of Shingon sect and Jishu sect. It became a unique sacred place among the 88 sacred sites, and the teachings of Shingon Sanmitsu along with the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism are still being transmitted today.

The highlights of Goshoji

View of the Seto Ohashi Bridge from the adornment garden

Temple 78 Fudasho: Bukkozan Kotokuin Goshoji

Access

Location

Utazucho 1435, Ayautagun, Kagawa 769-0210

Tel

0877-49-0710

Parking

Available (Free for regular cars and large buses)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

https://yakuyoke.org/

⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
In the floating world of Ten Eternal Pleasures
Even the emperor wanders.

The history and origin of Tennoji

Gyoki, who visited the area for the Shikoku pilgrimage during the Tenpyō era, named this mountain where a lot of ore is produced as the mountain “Kanayabime” and “Kanayamahiko”. In the middle of Kanayama, Kanayama Maju-in temple was built with Yakushi Nyorai as the principle deity, showing that this area was the land of both Shinto and Buddhist practice.

Kukai visited later in the Kōnin era and moved the decayed Kanayama Mayaju-in to the location of the current No. 79 fudasho where it became restored as “Kinkasan Myoujoujuuji, Majuin”. It was with the thoughts of preservation that Kukai moved the temple. It was here where Kukai also encountered the Kanayama Gongen (manifestation of the Buddha as a Shinto kami), who protects the god mountain Kanayama. And it was also here where he caused the sacred water to come gushing from the heart of Kanayama. Kukai, who is convinced that all sorts of restoration is possible, placed the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, the Amida Nyorai, and Aizen Myou in this new area and enshrined them in the temple.

At the time when Emperor Sutoku who was later banished to Sanuki due to the rebellion in Hōgen era, and when Kukai met and carved the image of Amida Nyorai, Kukai also performed the restoration of “Kinkasan Myoujoujuuji, Majuin”which led to further directions of Emperor Sutoku. After the demise of Emperor Sotoku, the temple was built on the temple grounds, Emperor Saga gave the edict of another permanent work to be created. And that was to create the memorial temple for Emperor Sutoku, and it was called, “Sutoku-Tennoji”. Due to the abolition of Buddhism during the Meiji era this was changed. But thanks to the efforts of the chief temples of Kikazan Buddhist Temple Koushouin, it was decided to create the “Kinkazan Koushoin Tennoji”

The highlights of Tennoji

Miwa Torii

The vermilion torii towering over the precincts of the Emperor Temple is a Miwa Torii that is similar to the Oara Shrine in Nara Prefecture.

On the left side of the torii gate is a lower stone from Minamoto no Yoritomo, and in front of Tennoji Temple is the Sotoku Emperor Shrine (currently Shiramine Palace).

Main hall

Learning to worship both the front of the main hall (Kongo world preaching) and the back of the main hall (prenatal world preaching) from the Amida Nyorai stamp on the Kannon pier.

Daishido

The Kanji mountain Buddhist temple Kosho-in Gohonson Yakushi-san’s character is dedicated to the front of the temple.

Temple 79 Fudasho: Kinkazan Koushouin Tennouji

Access

Location

Nishinoshocho Tennno 1713-2, Sakaide, Kagawa 762-0021

Tel

0877-46-3508

Parking

Yes * Only ordinary cars are available in the precincts. For microbuses and large buses, use Route 33.

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From the Sakaide Kita interchange, head east on Route 33. After passing JR Yasoba Station, turn right at the sign at Nishishocho intersection and go to the approach.
　　⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Silent on the water surface of Zenjibuji
The heart floats in the vessel of Buddha’s Law

The history and origin of Zenjibuji

Close to the coast of Tosa Bay, where the swells of the Pacific Ocean come. Even though it is a small mountain, it is at the top of Mt. Mine at an altitude of about 82m, so it is locally called “Minenji”, “Minedera”, and “Mineji”. In addition, the men of the sea call it “Guardian of ships Kannonl” because it was built in for the purpose for maritime and sea travel safety. Not only fishermen, but the successive lords who sailed out of Urato Bay during the Kansei era, such as by changing offices, all prayed to this temple and prayed for a safe voyage.
According to Engi, Gyoki was appointed by Emperor Shoumu (reign 724-49) and built the temple in the hope of securing the safety of ships sailing off Tosa. Later, in the first year of the Daidō era, Kobo Daishi visited the temple grounds where strangely shaped rocks were lined up. The appearance of Kannon’s Pure Land, of India is considered to be the ideal mountain of Buddha and he realized that it was a sacred area just like Mount Potalaka (mythical dwelling of the Buddhist bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in the south seas of India) as the ideal mountain of Kannon and the Buddhist path. Akasagarbha (bodhisattva) trained here to be the protective deity of the void. At this time, he carved an eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva statue himself and named it “Zenshimine Temple”, and also named “Hachiyōzan” because the mountain of Mineyama resembled the lotus of “eight leaves”.
Since then, Kannon, the “guardian of ships” has been attraction the devoted faith of ordinary fishermen, thanks to the devotion of Tosa’s first lord, Kazutoyo Yamauchi, and other successive lords. Niomon’s statue of Kongo wrestlers is a nationally designated important cultural property by Sadaaki, a Buddhist teacher from the Kamakura period. The temple is built so that its shoulders are close together, but the grounds are covered with trees, and there are many strange rocks, creating a ghostly atmosphere.
A slab on which the poet Basho writes, “The rock shaped winter tree between the Japanese cedars” is located between the strange rocks in front of the main hall.

The highlights of Zenjibuji

Zen master, temple treasure, Takeichi Hanpeita (also known as Seosan, Tosa king party. The old house and tomb are located below the temple.)

Annual events at Zenjibuji

General young society

Date: June 17th, 14:00

Temple 32 Fudasho: Hachiyouzan Gumonjiin Zenjibuji

Access

Location

3084 Tochi, Nankoku, Kochi 783-0085

Tel

088-865-8430

Parking

30 normal, 10 microbuses, 5 large (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Kochi Interchange, head toward Godaiyama and Katsurahama. There is to climb.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Hail the mother of Buddha of Monju
If I am a child, I want milk

The history and origin of Chikurinji

In addition to being the stage of “Yosakoi Bushi”, which was famous a famous story of seeing a monk buying an ornate hairpin in Kochi, Tosa, it is also known as an academic temple that became the “Nankai First Dojo” where school monks and famous monks gather. From Kamakura, a famous monk of the Rinzai sect of the North and South Korea era, Kokushi Yumemado (1275-1351) built the “Kyuukou hermitage” at the foot of the mountain and trained there for more than two years. Next to the gate, there is a memorial hall of Dr. Tomita Makino (1862-1957), a global botanist born in Kochi and the prefectural Makino Botanical Garden. It is one of the most famous places of the Tosa region.

Since Kazuyo Yamauchi became the first lord of Tosa in the first year of Keichō era (1601), the lords of the successive lords have relied heavily, and temple flourished has flourished as a prayer place. The main hall called “Monju” was built in the early Edo period and is an important cultural asset of the country. In addition, the treasure hall on the left side of Yamamon contains 17 Buddha statues, all nationally designated important cultural properties from the Fujiwara period to the Kamakura period.
You can see the city of Kochi below and you can see the beautiful Urato Bay in the shape of a bowl.

The highlights of Chikurinji

Godaiyama, five-storied pagoda and garden

Annual events at Chikurinji

Good luck

Date: January 1-3

Nioh-son prayer meeting

Date: January 16 and lunar January 16

First Bunshukai ceremony

Date: January 25

Setsubun

Date: February 3

Needle memorial festival

Date: February 8

Reunion

Date: February 15

Spring cluster

Date: Sunset on the equinoctial week (changed)

Flower Festival

Date: April 8 of the lunar calendar

Summer Wenshukai ceremony

Date: June 24

Bon festival

Date: From early July to the end of August

Ikkyu training

Date: Late July to August (4 times)

Autumn cluster

Date：Sunset on the equinoctial week (changed)

Godaisan Kangetsu times

Date: Mid-Autumn

Takerinji Autumn Festival

Date: Saturday and Sunday in late November

Narudokai

Date: December 8

Nightlight bell

Date: December 31

Temple 31 Fudasho: Godaisan Konjikiin Chikurinji

Access

Location

3577 Godaisan, Kochi, Kochi 781-8125

Tel

088-882-3085

Parking

100 normal cars, 10 microbuses, 5 large cars (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

http://www.chikurinji.com/

Social media

From the Kochi Interchange, head toward the Kochi North Loop Line toward Kochi City, turn left on National Route 32, turn right at the Takasu Shinmachi 4-chome intersection, and head toward Godaiyama. Follow the signs to the mountain path and you will see it on your left.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Help the people who travel to Kokubunji
They come by rough paths through mountains and fields

History and origin of Kokubunji

A temple that well preserved the ruins of the Nara period at the time of its foundation, and the entire area within the former precincts is the only national special historic site in Shikoku. The main hall was reconstructed in the middle of the Kamakura era with panelled wooded doors on the front and back. In the center of the grounds, 33 cornerstones of the main hall at the time of its construction were arranged, and the scale is comparable to that of the main hall of Toshodaiji Temple. In addition, the cornerstone of the seven-storied pagoda remains on the right hand side after entering the gate, and if it had survived, it is presumed that it was a large pagoda exceeding the size of the five-storied pagoda in Toji, Kyoto. The temple was built during the Emperor’s time. This is the Kokubunji of Sanuki country, which was founded by Gyoki Bosatsu who received the mandate. Later, during the Kōnin era (810-823), Kobo Daishi repaired the statue of Senju Honzon and set it as a sacred place. Most of the pagoda was destroyed by the Tensho War. In the Kamakura period, there was a record that it was the last temple of the Saidaiji. The current main hall was built, and after that, remained under the protection of Takamatsu feudal lords Ikoma and Matsudaira. And from that day until now stands as it was.

In addition, there is the following true story along with the legend that this temple is famous for the Shikoku’s oldest bell (bonshou). The early Edo lord, Kazumasa Ikoma, bought this bell in exchange for a “taichi-cho” (9900 square meters of rice fields) to use it as a bell for Takamatsu Castle. However, he needed a lot of people and horses to move it, much more than expected, and to bring it to the castle. Moreover, as soon as they arrived, a strange sickness befell the people there. Then the bell appeared every night at the bedside of Kazumasa who fell ill and it cried, “I want to go home”. So eventually, the bell was returned to Kokubunji. Unlike when it was transported to the castle, there was a second legend that this time, that even if a small number of people were able to carry it lightly. The bad illness was cured as soon as the bell returned to Kokubunji, and its beautiful tone was heard again.

The highlights of Kokubunji

The cornerstone of the Nara period remains. (Kondo ruins / seven-storied pagoda) A large black pine tree stands on the large grounds.

Main hall, temple bell, cornerstone (Kondo ruins, Shichitou ruins), Daishido (the Daishi statue can be seen directly), Benzaiten (Kokubunji is enshrined with the red Bentoten in the Sanuki Shichifukujin.)

Annual events at Kokubunji

Training for the Mizuko General School

Date: From 14:00 on the first Sunday of June

Temple 80 Fudasho: Hakugyzan Senjuin Kokubunji

Access

Location

Kokubunjicho Kokubu 2065, Takamatsu, Kagawa 769-0102

Tel

087-874-0033

Parking

Available (free, about 20 cars)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

http://sanukikokubunji.jp/

Social Media

• On foot: 4 minutes on foot from JR Kokubu Station (14 minutes on foot from Kokubu Station JR Takamatsu / Sakaide Station)
• By car: 9 minutes from Fuchuko IC / 12 minutes from Takamatsu Danshi IC
• In the case of highway bus: There is highway bus (foot bus) for the Kansai area (12 minutes on foot from the stop)highway bus
• Airplane: 30 minutes by car from Takamatsu Airport
• Shinkansen: Transfer to Seto Ohashi in Okayama, about 14 minutes from Sakaide Station

⇒ Google map