<p>The Temple's Main Gate is actually 200 meters away, on the road leading to the next temple in the pilgrimage</p>

The Temple's Main Gate is actually 200 meters away, on the road leading to the next temple in the pilgrimage (Photo: C. Rio)

Kumadanji

Temple #8 of the Ohenro 88 temple pilgrimage

C. Rio Jan 15, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The Temple's Main Gate is actually 200 meters away, on the road leading to the next temple in the pilgrimage</p>

<p>Approaching the stairs leading to Sanmon (a type of two story gate) and then the Main Temple</p>

<p>Kobo Daishi statue</p>

<p>Looking down into the valley</p>

<p>It is customary to see water flowing from heads at purification fountains throughout the pilgrimage</p>

<p>Tahoto (type of pagoda)</p>

<p>Zen rock garden within the lower temple grounds</p>

<p>Getting my 8th stamp</p>

Temple eight in the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage is also known as the Bear Valley Temple. It is set back into the hillside, but in ancient times the temple was even deeper into the valley. It was Kōbō Daishi who transferred it to its present location and carved its main statue. It is worth mentioning that its Sanmon (two story gate on the way to the Main Hall) is considered to be one of the finest of all the temples on the pilgrimage. To get there, catch a Tokushima station bound bus from Kamojima station and get off at the Nijonaka bus stop. From there it is about a 50 minute walk.

C. Rio

C. Rio @matthew.shewchuk

Based out of Minakami, where I work as a canyoning guide. I love hiking and am always looking to the skies for good weather.