The twenty-fourth temple is Hotsumisaki-ji (最御崎寺), perched at the tip of Cape Muroto and enshrining Kokūzō Bosatsu.
It lies about 6.4 km from the twenty-fifth temple, the first temple of Kōchi and the start of the pilgrimage’s “discipline” stage.
This is the entrance to Hotsumisaki-ji, a magnificent gate that keeps its old, weathered character. A bronze statue of Kōbō Daishi stands before it, welcoming pilgrims as they arrive.
After the long coastal walk to the cape, that welcome felt especially warm.
This is the main hall, where Kokūzō Bosatsu is enshrined. In the quiet of the early-morning precincts I chanted the sutra to the sound of birdsong.
This is the very deity to whom the young Kōbō Daishi devoted his austerities here at the edge of the sea.
Next I recited the Heart Sutra at the Daishi-dō.
I prayed for the safety of the day, for peace in the world, and for an end to the poverty that burdens so many.
The precincts of Hotsumisaki-ji are beautifully kept, and the buildings are simple and handsome.
That spare, well-tended quality suits a temple set against the vastness of the Pacific.
There was a curious “bell stone” here that rings with a clear, bell-like tone when struck with a pebble. When I tried it, a truly beautiful chime rang out.
It felt like a small gift from the place, hidden in plain sight.
This temple also has a rare garan — a quiet, clean precinct where monks gather to train. I found myself half wishing I could practise here too.
Something about the stillness made the idea of disciplined retreat genuinely appealing.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #65 Goshuin of Hotsumisaki-ji（最御崎寺） –
This is the goshuin of the twenty-fourth temple, Hotsumisaki-ji, received at the very tip of Cape Muroto.
Twenty-three temples still remained on my journey, and the Pacific seemed to stretch on as far as the road ahead.
The distance to the next temple was about 75.4 km — the long road on into Kōchi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Hotsumisaki-ji (Temple 24)?
The honzon (principal image) of Hotsumisaki-ji（最御崎寺）, Temple 24 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Kokūzō Bosatsu（虚空蔵菩薩）. 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 Hotsumisaki-ji located?
Hotsumisaki-ji stands in Muroto, Kōchi Prefecture, in the old province of Tosa, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the twenty-fourth 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 Hotsumisaki-ji belong to?
Hotsumisaki-ji belongs to the Shingon Buddhism (Toyoyama school). Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Murotozan Myōjō-in（室戸山 明星院）.
When was Hotsumisaki-ji founded?
Hotsumisaki-ji was founded by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) in 807, by order of Emperor Saga. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Hotsumisaki-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 25, Shinshō-ji (about 6.4 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Hotsumisaki-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.