The fifty-eighth temple is Senyū-ji (仙遊寺), set near the summit of a mountain some 300 metres high and enshrining Senju Kannon.
It lies about 6.1 km from the fifty-ninth temple, looking out over Imabari and the sea.
This is the entrance to Senyū-ji. Magnificent Kongō Rikishi guardians stand to left and right of the gate, watching, it seems, for anything ill-intentioned.
They make a fitting welcome to so lofty and remote a temple.
Countless Jizō statues line the way up to the main hall, lending the climb a slightly eerie atmosphere.
Rank upon rank of small stone figures watch over the path as you ascend.
Among the Jizō stands a single large Buddha image, said to lay to rest the spirits that drift about this place.
Its calm presence settles the mood of the whole approach.
This is the main hall, where Senju Kannon is enshrined. It is a little dark, set in the shade of the mountain, but I chanted the sutra all the same.
The image is said to have been carved by a dragon that rose from the sea.
Next, at the Daishi-dō, I recited the Heart Sutra once more. Listening to the sounds of nature, I prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world.
Kōbō Daishi’s “Well of Blessings,” long revered for healing, lies near the old approach below.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #31 Goshuin of Senyū-ji（仙遊寺） –
This is the goshuin of the fifty-eighth temple, Senyū-ji, earned high on its mountain above Imabari.
Fifty-seven temples still remained on my journey, the Seto Inland Sea spread out far below.
The distance to the next temple was about 2.4 km, a short walk down the slope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Senyū-ji (Temple 58)?
The honzon (principal image) of Senyū-ji（仙遊寺）, Temple 58 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 Senyū-ji located?
Senyū-ji stands in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, in the old province of Iyo, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the fifty-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 Senyū-ji belong to?
Senyū-ji belongs to the Kōyasan school of Shingon Buddhism. Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Sareizan Senkō-in（作礼山 千光院）.
When was Senyū-ji founded?
Senyū-ji was founded by Ochi no Morioki under Emperor Tenji; restored by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Senyū-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 59, Iyo Kokubun-ji (about 6.1 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Senyū-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.