The sixty-sixth temple is Unpen-ji (雲辺寺), at around 900 metres the highest temple of the entire pilgrimage, enshrining Senju Kannon.
It lies about 9.4 km from the sixty-seventh temple, high on Mt. Unpen.
This is the entrance to Unpen-ji. Perhaps because of the colour of the timber, the gate looks almost golden — a very fine sight.
It makes a striking first impression at the roof of the pilgrimage.
This is the main hall, where Senju Kannon is enshrined. The building is concrete, but its roof keeps an old-fashioned form.
I offered incense and recited the sutra at this loftiest of temples.
This is the Daishi-dō, whose beautiful architecture is enough to hold you spellbound. There I prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world.
Among the grounds stand five hundred life-size arhat statues, each with its own face.
In the precincts is a hollow stone carved as an eggplant; sit through its centre, it is said, and your fortunes will double.
Such playful customs are part of the charm of the temples.
A signpost has been set up along the side road of the temple so that pilgrims do not lose their way.
Small kindnesses like this mean a great deal on the mountain paths.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #23 Goshuin of Unpen-ji（雲辺寺） –
This is the goshuin of the sixty-sixth temple, Unpen-ji. The flow of the brush is beautiful and without hesitation — surely the work of a master.
Sixty-five temples still remained on my journey, here at the very roof of the pilgrimage.
The distance to the next temple was about 18.1 km — a long descent from the summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Unpen-ji (Temple 66)?
The honzon (principal image) of Unpen-ji（雲辺寺）, Temple 66 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Senju Kanzeon Bosatsu（千手観世音菩薩）. 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 Unpen-ji located?
Unpen-ji stands in Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture, in the old province of Awa, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the sixty-sixth 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 Unpen-ji belong to?
Unpen-ji belongs to the Shingon Buddhism (Omuro school). Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Kyogōzan Senju-in（巨鼇山 千手院）.
When was Unpen-ji founded?
Unpen-ji was founded by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), late 8th century. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Unpen-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 67, Daikō-ji (about 9.4 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Unpen-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.