【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.84] Nanmenzan Senkouin Yashimaji
Yashima is a volcanic peninsula with an altitude of 293 meters, which is not a triangular mountain but an unusual square shape.
Yashima is located on top of a mountain, so you can look down on the ancient battlefield of the Genpei War, famous for Nasu no Yoichi’s fan target and Yoshitsune’s bow throw.
In addition to Yashimaji, there is an aquarium on the top of the mountain, as well as an exchange base facility “Yashimaru" completed in August 2022. It is a popular sightseeing spot in Takamatsu that you can enjoy while visiting.
Yashimaji
| Principal image | Thousand-handed Kannon Bodhisattva |
| Honzon mantra | On bazara tarama kiriku |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Omuro sect |
Place
Temple lodging： none
Phone：087-841-9418
〒761-0111
1808 Yashimahigashimachi, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
Yashima Temple is located a short walk from the parking lot after climbing the 3.7m Yashima Skyway from the base of Yashima to the top.
By the way, the Yashima Skyway can be accessed by car, bicycle, or on foot. But it is quite a slope.
The sidewalk is narrow, but the scenery is good and it is good for exercise, so I saw local people going up and down for exercise.
Gosyuin(red stamp)
This Nokyosho is located in a corner of the building where amulets and Nokyocho are sold.
Open the page of the payment book and prepare the red stamp fee of 300 yen before visiting the window.
The goshuin stamp reads ”Daihiden Yashima". I can’t read it. But it might be cooler if you can’t read the goshuin.
History
In 754 (Tenpyo Shoho), Ganjin founded this temple.
Gianzhen was a learned monk of Tang Dynasty and sailed five times at the request of the imperial court, but lost his sight due to storms and shipwrecks. However, I managed to drift ashore in Kagoshima.
The following year, on the way to Todaiji Temple by boat, he sensed the light rising from the mountaintop off the coast of Yashima. He climbed the northern peak of Yashima and built Fugen-do there, enshrining the statue of Fugen Bosatsu he had and enshrining the scriptures.
Later, his disciple Keiun built a temple called Yashimaji and became the first chief priest.
In 815, Kobo Daishi, who received an imperial request from Emperor Saga, moved the hall from the northern peak to the current southern peak, and enshrined the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon statue as the principal object of worship. Since then, Kobo Daishi is considered to be the founder of Yashima.
From 947 to 57 (Tenryaku era), Meitatsu Ritsushi enshrined the Shitenno statue and the seated eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon statue, which is the current principal image. This Kannon statue is designated as a national important cultural property.
In 1601, Kazumasa Ikoma, the feudal lord of Takamatsu, donated 25 koku, and was placed under the protection of the Takamatsu domain. Since then, it has been repaired with the support of successive feudal lords and has reached the present day.
Highlight
【Yashima-ru】This is “Yashimaru", an exchange base facility on the Yashima mountain that opened on August 5, 2022 (Reiwa 4).
You can see the beautiful scenery and night view.
I thought there would be a lot of people even though it was a weekday, but since there are many places to visit such as other facilities of Yashima Temple, the crowd was dispersed and it felt just right. You can hear the music of the dolphin show from the aquarium, and it is a place where people of all ages can enjoy themselves.
It is about 8 km (about 15 minutes by car) to the next 85th bill place “Yakuriji"!