The thirtieth temple is Zenraku-ji (善楽寺), which enshrines Amida Nyorai and grew up beside Tosa’s first shrine.
It lies about 6.6 km from the thirty-first temple, on the outskirts of Kōchi city.
There is no temple gate at the entrance to Zenraku-ji; instead, a large stone statue of Kannon stands to greet arriving pilgrims.
The serene figure makes a gentle, open kind of welcome in place of a formal gate.
This is the main hall, where Amida Nyorai is enshrined. I offered incense and recited the sutra before the Buddha of the Western Pure Land.
For a temple so long tied to a shrine, the grounds have a quiet, settled calm.
Next is the Daishi-dō. Here I prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world, and recited the Heart Sutra.
Repeated at hall after hall, the familiar words had come to feel like an old companion on the road.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #59 Goshuin of Zenraku-ji（善楽寺） –
This is the goshuin of the thirtieth temple, Zenraku-ji, a quiet seal from this calm city temple.
Twenty-nine temples still remained on my journey, the days falling into an easy rhythm.
The distance to the next temple was about 6.9 km, a pleasant walk toward Kōchi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Zenraku-ji (Temple 30)?
The honzon (principal image) of Zenraku-ji（善楽寺）, Temple 30 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 Zenraku-ji located?
Zenraku-ji stands in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, in the old province of Tosa, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the thirtieth 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 Zenraku-ji belong to?
Zenraku-ji belongs to the Shingon Buddhism (Toyoyama school). Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Dodosan Tōmyō-in（百々山 東明院）.
When was Zenraku-ji founded?
Zenraku-ji was founded by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), early 9th century. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Zenraku-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 31, Chikurin-ji (about 6.6 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Zenraku-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.