The eighty-fifth temple is Yakuri-ji (八栗寺), set on the slopes of the five-peaked Mt. Goken and enshrining Shō Kannon.
It lies about 6.5 km from the eighty-sixth temple, high above Takamatsu.
The gate of Yakuri-ji looks much like any other typical Japanese temple entrance.
The real drama lies in the mountain rising behind it.
Yakuri-ji stands at about 223 metres, so many pilgrims take the cable car up to reach it.
The short ride lifts you quickly into the mountain air.
Stone statues line the mountain path along the way.
Their weathered ranks keep the climbing pilgrim company.
From the mountain you can look out over the town below, surrounded by nature, the air fresh and clean.
The view alone is worth the journey up.
A statue of Kōbō Daishi welcomes visitors to worship.
Its calm presence greets you as you arrive at the top.
When the large torii comes into view, Yakuri-ji is right there.
The gateway marks the threshold of the mountain sanctuary.
This is the main hall, where Shō Kannon is enshrined.
The image is said to have been carved by Kōbō Daishi when he founded the temple here.
Next, at the Daishi-dō, other pilgrims were reciting the sutra. There I prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world.
Beneath the jagged five-peaked ridge, the prayers seemed to carry further.
In one spot on the grounds, rows of Buddha images stand together, creating a mystical atmosphere.
The gathered figures lend the mountain temple a quiet power.
On the way to the next temple I stopped at an udon shop, where the noodles were cheap and delicious, topped with egg and condiments.
In Kagawa, a good bowl of udon is never far away.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #04 Goshuin of Yakuri-ji（八栗寺） –
This is the goshuin of the eighty-fifth temple, Yakuri-ji, beautifully done with powerful brushwork.
Eighty-four temples still remained on my journey, the five jagged peaks of Mt. Goken overhead.
The distance to the next temple was about 5.4 km, a steady walk down from the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Yakuri-ji (Temple 85)?
The honzon (principal image) of Yakuri-ji（八栗寺）, Temple 85 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Shō Kanzeon Bosatsu（聖観世音菩薩）. It is enshrined in the temple's main hall (hondō), where pilgrims offer incense, recite the Heart Sutra, and receive the temple's goshuin (hand-brushed seal).
Where is Yakuri-ji located?
Yakuri-ji stands in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, in the old province of Sanuki, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the eighty-fifth of the eighty-eight temples of the Shikoku Henro, the circular Buddhist pilgrimage walked in the path of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai).
Which Buddhist sect does Yakuri-ji belong to?
Yakuri-ji belongs to the Shingon Buddhism (Daikakuji school). Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Gokenzan Kanjizai-in（五剣山 観自在院）.
When was Yakuri-ji founded?
Yakuri-ji was founded by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) in 829. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Yakuri-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 86, Shido-ji (about 6.5 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Yakuri-ji to keep visiting each of the 88 temples and collecting their goshuin.
📖 See the full list of all 88 Shikoku temples →
Can’t make the pilgrimage yourself?Ohenro Gift can walk the 88 temples on your behalf (daisan) and deliver the completed nokyocho.