Shikoku– Temple stay –

A train runs through the precinct of this temple. They offer shukubo accommodation as well as a youth hostel. This shukubo is really clean. As there were four women pilgrims traveling alone, we shared a large room together. A male guest and a couple were using the small rooms.

Kongohukuji temple located on Cape Ashizuri and its main building is made of Japanese cypress. It is used as the shukubo. They provide private Japanese-style rooms where you can quietly relax. Both the head priest and the assistant head priest were present at the morning service and they made a sermon as well.

They have some private Japanese-style rooms. The puffy futon (duvet) was really comfortable. They conduct morning services as well. They serve shojin vegetarian cuisine, which is really good. Although the building is made from reinforced concrete, it does not give off a cold impression.

It offered all the facilities you would expect. Although I was traveling alone, they let me use a large room. The evening service began from 19:00 after dinner. The next morning, I went to worship the principle image in the main hall, which was open from 6:00 in the morning and we were free to get enter.

I felt pleased to see that everything here was well cleaned. There was a religious service in the morning. It was a standard service, but I was able to see the principal image of the main hall and the statue of Kobo-Daishi in the Daishi Hall.

The principal image is “Yaoi-no-Jizo” (a statue of a Jizo hit by an arrow) which is said to have been carved by Kobo-Daishi. It is designated as an important cultural asset in Japan. The shukubo is a reinforced concrete building.

It is famous as a temple to drive out evil luck. The shukubo is a reinforced concrete building. I was very grateful because they let me use a large room by myself. I ate in the dining room which also served as a restaurant. There was a religious service in the morning in the temple.

There are various treasures displayed in Houmotsu-kan: a stone Nyoirin Kannon (Cintamani-cakra) , sitting Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru) and a statue of standing Gakko Bosatsu (Candraprabha), which are all designated as important cultural assets. There is also a cave where the young Priest Kobo pursued ascetic training.

The Goma burning prayer held in the morning service was really impressive as I saw it for the first time. The meals were also tasty. I was able to use a private Japanese-style room all to myself. The bath was comfortable, too. I was able to sleep well as it was quiet.

Guests can stay in the main building, which was built at the end of the Edo period. They serve shojin cuisine containing no meat or fish. They use seasonal vegetables produced in neighboring fields or donated by practitioners. Reservations must be made a week in advance of your stay.