The seventy-eighth temple is Gōshō-ji (郷照寺), the only Ji-school temple on the pilgrimage, enshrining Amida Nyorai.
It lies about 5.9 km from the seventy-ninth temple, in the town of Utazu.
The entrance to Gōshō-ji feels a touch narrow, perhaps because of its hillside setting.
The cramped approach only makes the grounds beyond feel more of a discovery.
You may ring the bell here; set on a rise, its sound carries out across the town below.
The deep note drifting over the rooftops was a fine moment.
The demon-shaped roof tiles add a distinctive touch to the buildings.
Such small details reward a closer look around the grounds.
This is the main hall, where Amida Nyorai is enshrined. It is large and visually striking.
The temple is widely revered for its “Yakuyoke Daishi,” who wards off misfortune.
This is the Daishi-dō. Its colourful lanterns are appealing, and the painted ceiling is remarkable too. There I offered my prayers.
The bright, ornamented hall has a warmth all its own.
A path led down into a dark underground area, so I decided to explore it.
Stepping down into the dark, I had no idea what I would find.
Inside, countless small golden Buddha images stand lined up in row upon row.
The sight of so many gleaming figures in the dark was genuinely striking.
At the centre, a beautiful golden Buddha shines brightly, as though you had stepped into a magnificent other world.
It was an unforgettable, almost dreamlike end to the visit.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #11 Goshuin of Gōshō-ji（郷照寺） –
This is the goshuin of the seventy-eighth temple, Gōshō-ji. The calligraphy is so exquisite it could be called a work of art.
Seventy-seven temples still remained on my journey, the golden underground hall still glowing in my memory.
The distance to the next temple was about 7.2 km, a fair walk on through Utazu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Gōshō-ji (Temple 78)?
The honzon (principal image) of Gōshō-ji（郷照寺）, Temple 78 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Amida Nyorai（阿弥陀如来）. 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 Gōshō-ji located?
Gōshō-ji stands in Utazu, Kagawa Prefecture, in the old province of Sanuki, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the seventy-eighth 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 Gōshō-ji belong to?
Gōshō-ji belongs to the Ji school of Buddhism. Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Bukkōzan Kōtoku-in（仏光山 広徳院）.
When was Gōshō-ji founded?
Gōshō-ji was founded by Gyōki in 725. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Gōshō-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 79, Tennō-ji (about 5.9 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Gōshō-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.