Visited Chikurinji (竹林寺) on 17.11.2014
Visited Kongofukuji (金剛福寺) on 19.11.2014
Shikoku Pilgrimage. In Shikoku, you will notice pedestrians donned in white, wearing conical strawed hats and carrying a walking stick, occasionally. They are all on a pilgrimage unique to Shikoku, tracing the footsteps of a Japanese monk named Ku kai (空海), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, to cover 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. The entire trail is about 1,100 km long and requires time, physical fitness and strong mental determination to accomplish the pilgrimage simply by foot. The reason behind in this pilgrimage may not be driven by religious reasons only; some want to explore Shikoku in an unconventional way, purely by walking. 16 out of 88 temples are located in Kochi Prefecture, the largest yet least populated prefecture in Shikoku. For my trip to Shikoku, I paid a visit to two of them - Chikurinji in Kochi city and Kongofukuji in Tosashimizu city.
Temple #31: Chikurinji 竹林寺
Chikurinji was built on Godaisan (五台山) in 724, way earlier than Kongofukuji. This temple was actually modeled after another temple located on China's Mt Wutai (same kanji as Godaisan). Monju Bosatsu (文殊菩薩), which is also known as the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, is being worshipped in the main hall, or Hondo. What caught my eye immediately was this beautiful five storey pagoda (五重塔) which stands at 31.2 m tall and made out of cypress wood. It was autumn period during our time of visit; the pagoda stood out even more brilliantly among the autumn foliage. One other feature of Chikurinji is its landscaped Japanese garden which was given the title of scenic site of Japan in 2004. Sadly, I only got to know that there is such garden within its premises after browsing through its website. From photos uploaded online, the garden does look pretty stunning and worth a visit.
Temple #38: Kongofukuji 金剛福寺
Kongofukuji is located in Ashizurimisaki, the southernmost tip of the island of Shikoku. Kannon is being worshipped in this temple which has been around since Heian period (794 - 1185). There is a stone statue of a turtle named Daishikame (大師亀) located at the front of the temple. Apart from the normal rituals, one other practice unique to here is to touch the head of Daishikame and say your wishes at the same time.
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Chikurinji 竹林寺 （第31番札所）
〒781-8125 高知県高知市五台山3577
Operating hours: 0800 - 1700 hrs
http://www.chikurinji.com/
http://www.88shikokuhenro.jp/kochi/31chikurinji/
How to get there?
(1) MY Yu Bus (MY遊バス).
At Kochi JR Station, board MY Yu Bus heading for Katsurahama and alight at Chikurinji (竹林寺).
Kochi JR Station <> Katsurahama: 1 Day Pass = 1,000 yen
Kochi JR Station <> Chikurin-ji: Godaisan 1 Day Pass = 600 yen
MY Yu Bus: https://www.attaka.or.jp/kanko/kotsu_mybus.php
Kongofukuji 金剛福寺（第38番札所）
〒787-0315 高知県土佐清水市足摺岬214-1
Operating hours: 0700 - 1700 hrs
http://www.88shikokuhenro.jp/kochi/38kongofukuji/index.html
How to get there?
(1) Kochi Seinan Bus. From Nakamura Station (中村駅), take the Nakamura/Shimizu/Ashizuri/Sukumo line (中村・清水・足摺・宿毛線) bus heading for Ashizurimisaki, and alight at the last stop. Bus journey takes 1 hr 40 mins and cost 1,900 yen.
Bus schedule: http://www.kochi-seinan.co.jp/obj/pdf/local_sukumo-simizu.pdf
Visited Kongofukuji (金剛福寺) on 19.11.2014
Shikoku Pilgrimage. In Shikoku, you will notice pedestrians donned in white, wearing conical strawed hats and carrying a walking stick, occasionally. They are all on a pilgrimage unique to Shikoku, tracing the footsteps of a Japanese monk named Ku kai (空海), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, to cover 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. The entire trail is about 1,100 km long and requires time, physical fitness and strong mental determination to accomplish the pilgrimage simply by foot. The reason behind in this pilgrimage may not be driven by religious reasons only; some want to explore Shikoku in an unconventional way, purely by walking. 16 out of 88 temples are located in Kochi Prefecture, the largest yet least populated prefecture in Shikoku. For my trip to Shikoku, I paid a visit to two of them - Chikurinji in Kochi city and Kongofukuji in Tosashimizu city.
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| Main hall. |
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| Spotted someone going on the pilgrimage. |
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| Five storey pagoda of Chikurinji. |
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| Surrounded by autumn foliage. |
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| Pretty omikuji (おみくじ), otherwise known as fortune telling paper strips. |
Chikurinji was built on Godaisan (五台山) in 724, way earlier than Kongofukuji. This temple was actually modeled after another temple located on China's Mt Wutai (same kanji as Godaisan). Monju Bosatsu (文殊菩薩), which is also known as the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, is being worshipped in the main hall, or Hondo. What caught my eye immediately was this beautiful five storey pagoda (五重塔) which stands at 31.2 m tall and made out of cypress wood. It was autumn period during our time of visit; the pagoda stood out even more brilliantly among the autumn foliage. One other feature of Chikurinji is its landscaped Japanese garden which was given the title of scenic site of Japan in 2004. Sadly, I only got to know that there is such garden within its premises after browsing through its website. From photos uploaded online, the garden does look pretty stunning and worth a visit.
Temple #38: Kongofukuji 金剛福寺
Kongofukuji is located in Ashizurimisaki, the southernmost tip of the island of Shikoku. Kannon is being worshipped in this temple which has been around since Heian period (794 - 1185). There is a stone statue of a turtle named Daishikame (大師亀) located at the front of the temple. Apart from the normal rituals, one other practice unique to here is to touch the head of Daishikame and say your wishes at the same time.
======
Chikurinji 竹林寺 （第31番札所）
〒781-8125 高知県高知市五台山3577
Operating hours: 0800 - 1700 hrs
http://www.chikurinji.com/
http://www.88shikokuhenro.jp/kochi/31chikurinji/
How to get there?
(1) MY Yu Bus (MY遊バス).
At Kochi JR Station, board MY Yu Bus heading for Katsurahama and alight at Chikurinji (竹林寺).
Kochi JR Station <> Katsurahama: 1 Day Pass = 1,000 yen
Kochi JR Station <> Chikurin-ji: Godaisan 1 Day Pass = 600 yen
MY Yu Bus: https://www.attaka.or.jp/kanko/kotsu_mybus.php
Kongofukuji 金剛福寺（第38番札所）
〒787-0315 高知県土佐清水市足摺岬214-1
Operating hours: 0700 - 1700 hrs
http://www.88shikokuhenro.jp/kochi/38kongofukuji/index.html
How to get there?
(1) Kochi Seinan Bus. From Nakamura Station (中村駅), take the Nakamura/Shimizu/Ashizuri/Sukumo line (中村・清水・足摺・宿毛線) bus heading for Ashizurimisaki, and alight at the last stop. Bus journey takes 1 hr 40 mins and cost 1,900 yen.
Bus schedule: http://www.kochi-seinan.co.jp/obj/pdf/local_sukumo-simizu.pdf
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