Tour Guide

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The Aio 88 Sacred Holy Places

230 Years of History — The Shikoku 88 Sacred Holy Places, said to be the Oldest Replica in Japan

The Aio 88 Sacred Holy Places is said to have begun in Tenmei 3 (1783). At that time, Shokai Hoin, the eighth head priest of Henmyoin, traveled with his disciples to visit the Shikoku 88 Sacred Holy Places. After completing the pilgrimage, they returned home with talisman cards and soil collected from each site. They then designated sacred areas, scattered the soil at each location, enshrined the cards, and established the places as official pilgrimage stations.

During the "Odaishi Mairi", held on March 20th and 21st of the lunar calendar falling on the memorial days of Kobo Daishi, pilgrims are warmly welcomed at each stop with heartfelt hospitality offered by local residents.

(Reference: Pamphlet published by Yamaguchi Tourism & Convention Association Aio branch)

Main Hall

The 58th stop of The Aio 88 Sacred Holy Places
The Main Image The Thousand Armed Kannon Bodhisattva
Daishi Hall

The 54th stop of The Aio 88 Sacred Holy Places
Acala: the Immovable Wisdom King
The 64th stop of The Aio 88 Sacred Holy Places
Amitabha Tathagata
Okunoin

The 69th stop of The Aio 88 Sacred Holy Places
Sho Kanze Obonsatsu

The Saigoku Thirty Three Kannon Replica Pilgrimage

The Saigoku Thirty Three Kannon Replica Pilgrimage of Asahisan Shinshoin was established in Taisho 14 (1925) through a donation by Mr. and Mrs. Kishida Shosuke of Koto Village. It was carved by Daikichi Nakajima and Sekisyo from Tonda Village.

Details of the route for the Saigoku Thirty Three Kannon Replica Pilgrimage are carried on this page.

Magaibutsu Jizo

On the south face of a granite standing about 7meters high beside the main hall, a section has been leveled and a 60 centimeter tall image of Jizo Bosatsu in prayer with hands joined is carved into it.

Inscriptions appear on both sides of the carving, indicating that this image was sculpted directly into the natural rock on July 21st of Meiwa 2 (1765), with a monk named Joshin serving as the principal donor.

Snapshots of the Temple Grounds

Sho Kannon
Throughout the spacious temple grounds stand many Buddhas and Jizo statues.
Surrounded by the colors of the four seasons, they welcome all visitors with a tender look.
Myoken-sama
This deity is enshrined to protect the surrounding area.
Myoken-sama is located at the top of these stone steps.
Beside the stone steps, there is a stone monument engraved with "No women allowed".
The Watchful Kannon
It stands quietly, watching over all.