Yasaka-ji, The Temple of the Eight Slopes, is temple No. 47 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, or Henro. It stands on a hill in the south of Matsuyama. What to see A long, straight road leads up to the temple past farmhouses, and from a distance, the temple has a festive, colourful look about it. The…
Joruri-ji, The Temple of the Pure Lapis Lazuli, is temple No. 46 on the Shikoku pilgrimage. It stands among fields on a gentle slope in the south of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. The temple building is largely hidden from view by the tall trees that surround it. These ancient junipers are thought to be about 1,000…
Iwaya-ji, The Temple of the Rock Hermitage, is temple No. 45 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Henro. If there’s one temple on the pilgrimage you really should visit in Ehime Prefecture, Iwaya-ji is it. The temple is located on Kuma Highland in a gorge formed of conglomerate rock. It inspires awe, from the trek up…
Daihō-ji, the Temple of Great Treasure, is temple No. 44 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Henro. It stands in a forest of ancient sugi and hinoki cypress trees in the area known as Kuma Highland in central Ehime. What to see The approach to the temple begins in the town where there’s a high wooden…
Meiseki-ji, The Temple of the Brilliant Stone, is temple No. 43 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, or Henro. The temple is located on a hillside in Seiyo among beautiful woodland. What to see The temple is largely hidden from view until you climb a long flight of steps, whereupon it’s revealed standing on a series of…
Butsumoku-ji, the Temple of the Buddha’s Tree, is temple No. 42 on the Shikoku pilgrimage or Henro. The temple is located in the countryside between Uwajima and Seiyo. The temple buildings are interesting mixture of architectural styles, including an unusual thatched belfry. There are many attractive trees within the temple precincts. What to see Along…
Ryūkō-ji is temple No. 41 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, or Henro. The temple is located in the countryside not far from Uwajima, on a steep hillside with a fine view down a pastoral valley. What to See A stone torii gate stands at the entrance to the approach, marking this as a temple with a…
Kanjizai-ji is temple No. 40 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, or Henro. It’s the first temple in Ehime Prefecture. Due to its distance from the first temple, it’s called the “furthest point of the Shikoku pilgrimage.” What to See The main gate stands atop a short flight of stone steps. This elegant gate is made entirely…
Tenshaen Garden is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden southwest of Uwajima Castle. It was completed in 1866 as a place of relaxation for the 7th lord of the domain.
The Shiden-Kai Museum features a Japanese fighter raised from the seabed. It’s the only aircraft of its kind in Japan.