The Dojo of Ascetic Training: Traversing the 16 Sacred Temples of Kochi.
Kochi Prefecture, traditionally known as “Tosa-no-Kuni,” represents the stage of endurance and inner strength. This category documents the journey from Temple No. 24 (Hotsumisaki-ji) at the tip of Cape Muroto to Temple No. 39 (Enkou-ji) near the border of Ehime.
Often called the most challenging part of the pilgrimage due to the vast distances between temples, the Kochi section offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and profound moments of solitude. Whether you are navigating the rugged cliffs of Cape Muroto or the serene paths of Cape Ashizuri, these articles capture the physical and mental resilience required to complete this “Dojo of Ascetic Training.”
No.24 Hostsumisaki-ji is located on a mountain climbing up from cape Muroto. There’re quite many tourists around cape Muroto, but here there’re almost no one. Although the precincts of No.24 Hotsumisaki-ji is compact, there’re the main temple, the Taishi-do, a bell-tower, a sumo-wrestling ring and a two-storey pagoda, a small hall praying to cure eye …
The east side of route 55 towards cape Muroto is facing the Pacific Ocean, so I could see beautiful sunrise while walking. No.25 Shinsho-ji is located on a small mountain in Muroto area. The bell-tower is laurelled in vermillion and looks quite Chinese style. Once I entered from the main gate, I’m bit concerned about …
There’re some uphill to No.26 Kongocho-ji, so I’m bit nervous. However, it seems my knee is pretty OK now with the plaster and the good rest yesterday. There’re Otoko-zaka & Onna-zaka as same as No.23 Yakuo-ji for the avoidance of bad luck, however, I didn’t see any small coins here. Maybe there’re very few people …
It is a straightforward 4 km steep climb to No.27 Kounomine-ji. This is the 4th Henro Korogashi (遍路ころがし) which is called “Mattate (真っ縦)”. I was still worried about my knee condition, so I stopped by the local product marketplace at the foot of the mountain where they offered to keep pilgrim’s luggage for free. A …
The main gate of No.28 Dainichi-ji is simple without Nio-statues. I found some small straw sandals are enshrined together with some small coins. There were no on around here, and I could visit in a very quiet and solemn atmosphere. The main temple has a beautiful symmetrical roof and it is said that it was …
The Henro route now leave the coast side and I’m now walking through the countryside. That is also good. Compared to Tokushima, I feel that Kochi has fewer resting places for pilgrims to sit down casually. When the Henro route goes into the town, I often lost the route because sometimes the route goes into …
Unlike the other temple, there’s no main gate in No.30 Zenraku-ji, and I came in directly to the precincts. It seems that there’s mochi-maki (rice cake throwing) event today, hence there were a lot of people outside. However, the strangest thing was that screaming voice is coming from the speaker unit…which seems to let people …
It’s a bit of a relief to finally see the tram in Kochi city, but I have to climb up Mt.Godai to get to No.31 Chikurin-ji… In the end, I managed to get there, while I was worrying about my knee. No.31 Chikurin-ji is built in a mossy atmospheric garden and it has a wonderful …
The distance between sacred temples in Kochi is quite long and there is a lot of hiking in the mountains at the end of the trip. No.32 Zenjibu-ji is one of such temples. After passing through the main gate and going up further, the view opens up suddenly and I’m in front of nice view …
The Henro route goes straight to the place where I saw from Zenjibu-ji the big white bridge reaching to Katsurahama Beach. When I arrived at the edge of the bay, right under the bridge, I found a guard on the wharf, and asked him where the ferry terminal is. Then he pointed that I just …
The idyllic landscape continues to Tanema-ji, and the temple seems to appear suddenly in a place that is neither on the mountain nor in the town. Here, too, the main temple seems to be rebuilt and is much newer than Taishi-do (I saw similar pattern several times in other temples). I was wondering about lunch …
It’s interesting to see things that could give me some hints about the life around here. On the way to Seitaki-ji, I found they’re drying Japanese radish. I wonder if they’re going to make Takuan – yellow pickled radish. I finally entered Tosa city by crossing the Niyodo river. I didn’t expect this river is …