Jan 20, 2014 - 1 min read

Zenrakuji

Temple #30 of the Ohenro 88 temple pilgrimage

By C. Rio

Community writer

1 of 7

Bussokuseki, stone carved with the footprint of Buddha

Purification fountain

Garden detail

Fudo Myoo statue

Kobo Daishi statue

Bibs left to pray for welfare of children

Figure detail

Temple thirty in the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage is also known as the Temple of Everlasting Joy. In the past 130 years or so, Zenrakuji has been the object of a great deal of controversy. It began in 1868 when the original Temple was destroyed and the main deity was temporarily relocated to Kokubunji. For a long time there were two temples that called themselves Temple 30 (the other being Anrakuji). Currently, Zenrakuji has been restored to its original number, with Anrakuji serving as the inner sanctum. To get there, catch a JR Dosan Line train from Kochi station and get off at Tosa-ikku station. From there it’s about a 25 minute walk.