The fourth temple is Dainichi-ji (大日寺), dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai, the cosmic Buddha who sits at the very heart of Shingon teaching.
It lies about 2 km from the fifth temple, a short and pleasant walk between the two, with the path winding quietly through the edge of Itano.
This is the entrance to Dainichi-ji. The red paint on the gate has faded and peeled over the years, and rather than looking neglected it gives the gate a real sense of age and history.
That weathered, lived-in quality is part of the quiet charm of the smaller temples scattered along the route.
This is the main hall, where Dainichi Nyorai is enshrined. I stopped before it, offered incense, and recited the sutra in the stillness of the grounds.
Being a smaller, quieter temple, Dainichi-ji is an easy place to slow down, steady your breathing, and gather your thoughts before moving on.
This is the Daishi-dō. By this point I had already visited eighty-four temples, and only a few more recitations of the sutra remained before the journey would be complete.
Standing here, I felt that I had truly come to pray for the safety of my family and the peace of the world from the bottom of my heart, rather than out of habit. The closer the end drew, the more sincere those words seemed to become.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #85 Goshuin of Dainichi-ji（大日寺） –
This is the goshuin of the fourth temple, Dainichi-ji — its fresh black ink still glistening, another page of the book quietly filled.
With this, three temples were left to go, and the early rhythm of the pilgrimage was beginning to settle into my bones.
The distance to the next temple was about 4.9 km — a gentle stretch, with the quiet air of Itano to keep me company along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Dainichi-ji (Temple 4)?
The honzon (principal image) of Dainichi-ji（大日寺）, Temple 4 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Dainichi Nyorai（大日如来）. 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 Dainichi-ji located?
Dainichi-ji stands in Itano, Tokushima Prefecture, in the old province of Awa, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the 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 Dainichi-ji belong to?
Dainichi-ji belongs to the Tōji school of Shingon Buddhism. Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Ōgurizan Kezō-in（黒巌山 華蔵院）.
When was Dainichi-ji founded?
Dainichi-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 Dainichi-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 5, Jizō-ji (about 2 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Dainichi-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.