KagawaLeisure

73rd Temple, Shusshakaji Temple (第七十三番札所出釈迦寺)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: A Shikoku pilgrimage temple with a long mountainside stone stairway and rock-carved Buddhas

About 15 min from the previous stop

About 30 min here

About 15 min to the next stop

Next stop: A quiet sacred site with a National Treasure main hall and a five-story pagoda

About this spot

This sacred site carries a legend that Kobo Daishi (弘法大師) threw himself off a cliff in his childhood to test the Buddha's protection, and from its inner sanctuary, Shashingatake Zenjo (捨身ヶ嶽禅定), built on a sheer cliff, a breathtaking view unfolds over the Sanuki Plain (讃岐平野) and the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海). It's very close to Iyadaniji Temple, making it an easy stop as a highlight of your pilgrimage.

Tips

About a 5-minute drive from Iyadaniji Temple. Reaching the inner sanctuary requires walking a mountain trail, so if you have time to spare, give it a try. The main temple grounds alone are also well worth visiting.