20‏/01‏/2014

Chikurinji

Temple #31 of the Ohenro 88 temple pilgrimage

By C. Rio

Community writer

Temple grounds on fire with autumn color

Temple thirty one in the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage is also known as the Bamboo Forest Temple. This is the only temple on the pilgrimage dedicated to Monju Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Godaisan, the hill on which the temple is built, has beautiful views of Kochi City as well as the surrounding mountains. The temple garden and the 19 images of Buddhist deities are classified as Japanese National Treasures. The Museum of Esoteric Images and the Makino Botanical Garden are also located on the hill, and worth a visit if you have time. To get there, catch a Gomen-machi station bound bus from Harimaya-bashi station and get off at the Aoyagi-bashi-higashizume bus stop. From there it’s about a 30 minute walk.