【Shikoku Pilgrimage Guided Tours】Temples 1 to 5

Learn about various historical objects on the temple grounds of the first five temples along the Shikoku pilgrimage route - Temple 1, Ryōzenji; Temple 2, Gokurakuji; Temple 3, Konsenji; Temple 4, Dainichiji; and Temple 5, Jizōji.

Places to Visit:
◆Temple 1, Ryōzenji
◆Temple 2, Gokurakuji
◆Temple 3, Konsenji
◆Temple 4, Dainichiji
◆Temple 5, Jizōji

Temple 1 Ryōzenji:
If you are starting your journey here, perhaps you might be interested in buying some of the accouterments – such as sedge hat, wooden staff, pilgrimage book, white pilgrim coat etc. – that people get to show that are making this journey as a henro (Shikoku pilgrim).

Enjoy the atmosphere, feel free to take photographs (except for the innermost part of the main hall where the altar is), look at the various buildings and statues, and perhaps take your pilgrimage book to the temple office to have it signed and stamped.

Temple 2 Gokurakuji:
As you walk along the path, you will most likely be impressed by the large garden on your left and various statues on your right.

After you turn left and walk a little bit further, you will see a huge tree in front of you. It is called “the cedar of long life” (chōmei sugi) and is believed to have been planted by the well-known 8th century Buddhist priest Kūkai/Kōbō Daishi, who founded many of the temples along the Shikoku Pilgrimage route.

Next, go up a flight of steep stone stairs to see the main hall and Daishi hall, the latter which has a statue of Kūkai/Kōbō Daishi enshrined inside. In front of the Daishi hall are many amulets and wooden tablets related to the safe birth of a child. In fact, the large statue of Kōbō Daishi was given to the temple by a woman during the Meiji period (1868-1912) when she had a safe childbirth after visiting this temple.

Temple 3 Konsenji:
Recommended Points:
◆A well beside the Daishi hall, which is said to have been dug by Kōbō Daishi for the benefit of the local people when he visited here in the 9th century.
It is said that if you can see your reflection in the water, you will live a long life.

◆ “Benkei`s stone of strength”, which is in the garden in front of the temple office.
It is believed that warrior-monk Benkei (1155-1189) lifted this stone during the 12th century when he came here on his way to fight in the Battle of Yashima in present-day Kagawa prefecture.

Temple 4 Dainichiji:
Over the past few years Dainichiji has been involved an extensive restoration project including rebuilding the main gate and restoring thirty-three wooden statues made in the 18th century that represent each temple along the 33-sacred site pilgrimage route in the Saigoku region.
These statues are located in a covered corridor between the main hall and the Daishi hall.

Temple 5 Jizōji:
It's recommended to go into the “500 Rakan” building up the stairs behind the temple.
Inside the U-shaped building, you will see approximately 200 wooden statues of rakan (arhats in English), which are disciples of Buddha.
At the end of the building, you will see many small wooden statues representing the main deities of the pilgrimage routes around Shikoku, Bando, Chichibu and Saigoku.

Price (Per Person)
Group of 1: 60,000 Yen
Group of 2: 30,000 Yen
Group of 3: 20,000 Yen
Group of 4: 15,000 Yen

Age: 14 & Older

Walking Distance: Approx. 12 km
Time Needed: Approx. 9 Hours
*The schedule is only an estimate and may change depending on the day, weather, etc.

• Days: Everyday
• Duration: 9 hours