Setouchi Tourism Lemon 
Main hall, five-storied pagoda, Niomon (main gate in three styles: Japanese style, Chinese style, and Tenjiku style. The massive eight-legged gate, which is unique in Japan, is a nationally designated important cultural property) Chinjudo (a small shrine with a cypress bark roof that retains the style of the late Muromachi period)
What are the highlights of the 70th temple “Honzanji”?
Honzan-ji Temple is an ancient temple with a long history and a national treasure, the main hall and a five-storied pagoda. The principal image is Bato Kanzeon Bodhisattva, and the sect is the Koyasan Shingon sect. As a sacred site connected to Kobo Daishi, many pilgrims visit throughout the year.
Poem: “Someone can plant flowers at the main temple, A hand-made story of someone who comes in spring.”
Three points to visit Honzanji Temple
① Best time to visit the shrine
The temple grounds change with the seasons, with cherry blossoms in the spring, green leaves in the summer, red leaves in the fall, and silence in the winter, giving it a different feel no matter when you visit. Especially the fresh green leaves in May and the autumn leaves in November are perfect for photography.
② Suggested time needed
Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to visit the shrine, pray, and walk around the temple grounds. It is crowded on weekends and during the spring and autumn pilgrimage seasons, so we recommend visiting early in the morning and planning your visit with plenty of time.
③ Necessary items for the pilgrimage and process of worshiping
Basic information of Honzanji Temple
How to access Honzanji Temple
By car: From the nearest IC on the Takamatsu Expressway/Matsuyama Expressway, head toward Mitoyo City. For details, please refer to the address in the basic information.
Public transportation: Take a taxi or bus from the nearest JR station. It is also convenient to take a taxi to visit sacred sites or a pilgrimage bus tour.
Nearby temples that you should visit together with Honzanji Temple
It is common to visit the 88 sacred sites in Shikoku in numerical order. You can have an even more fulfilling pilgrimage experience by visiting the temples before and after the main temple, as well as the temples in Mitoyo City.
Frequently asked questions about Honzanji Temple/Pilgrimage
Q1. What is the delivery time (goshuin stamp reception time)?
Pilgrimage delivery times are usually 7:00-17:00 (officially 7:00-17:00). Goshuin stamps and Buddhist sutras cannot be received outside of these hours, so please plan your visit accordingly.
Q2. Are there admission fees and parking fees?
You can visit the shrine grounds for free, but there are some temples that require a separate parking fee (about 200 to 500 yen for a regular car) and entrance fee to the treasure hall.
Q3. What are the benefits of visiting the shrine in pilgrimage costumes?
Pilgrimage costumes such as a white robe, a robe, and a vajra cane are not only formal, but also have benefits such as making it easier to receive entertainment and calming your mind. Rentals and purchases are possible at temples such as Ryozen-ji Temple, the No. 1 temple.
Q4. Where can I receive a Goshuin (Nokyo)?
You can receive it for about 500 yen at the nokyo office of each temple. Many people visit with a three-piece set that includes a notebook, a white coat, and a hanging scroll, and a notebook can be purchased for around 700 to 2,000 yen.
Q5. Which is better: a pilgrimage by car or a walking pilgrimage?
Choose according to your time and physical strength. A car pilgrimage can be completed in 10 to 14 days, while a walking pilgrimage takes 40 to 50 days, but offers a more profound experience. Rental cars, bus tours, and taxi pilgrimages are also popular.
Q6. Can a beginner start the pilgrimage?
Of course it is possible. In addition to the toruuchi, which visits 88 locations all at once, it is also common to perform the pilgrimage in sections. You can play the game in either order, starting from number 1, or reverse the game, allowing you to play at your own pace.
Summary | Honzan-dera, the 70th temple you must visit on your pilgrimage
Motoyamaji, the 70th temple in the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, is a historic old temple with a national treasure main hall and a five-storied pagoda. If you come to Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture, please make this a day of your pilgrimage. Time to calm your mind and experience the history and Buddhist culture of Shikoku awaits you.
Photo provided by:shikoku-guide.com
