Shikoku Pilgrimage: Temple No. 10

Large island in the Yoshino-gawa river

By Yoshifumi Hara

Community writer

Flowers on the island such as the sunflower and mustard may cheer you up

The temple is up there, beyond 333 steps

The next temple is at the foot of the mountain seen in the distance

A Japanese traditional boat, 'Kandori-bune'

After a comfortable walk from the 9th temple (3 km), you have to climb about 800m towards the 10th temple. As the 10th temple, Kirihata-ji temple, is on a hill, you can view the way to next temple from there. It’s about a 9.3km walk! Go down the hill and follow “Henro-michi” signs. You’ll find the Yoshino-gawa river which is the third biggest river in Japan. The road goes through the biggest island (500 ha), Zen-nyu-ji island, in the river. Two small bridges connect the island and north/south shore of the river. These bridges (Sensui-kyo bridge) are designed to submerge in the river in the case of floods. The road goes past a tiny castle, and then up toward the mountain area where the next temple is.