The “Kounomineji Temple” is located 450 meters above sea level, halfway up Mt.The steep slope is known as the “Tosa no Seki,” or “pilgrim’s passage,” and it is a difficult place to climb.
The origin of the temple is said to be a shrine enshrining “Amaterasu” and other deities, which was established by the order of Empress Jingu.
It is said that Kobo Daishi built a temple complex and named it “Kannondō” in 809 (Daidō 4), making it a temple with a long history.
In the Meiji period (1868-1912), the shrine remained and the temple was temporarily closed due to the Shinto/Buddhist Separation Order, and the Gohonzon was entrusted to Kongojyoji Temple.
- The steep slope, known as the “straight and narrow” slope, is so steep that even cars scream.
- The well-maintained gardens are a refreshing experience.
- Power Spot for “Prayer for Success
- Take a leisurely stroll in Aki City.
- Lots of good food too!
- Pirate barbecue and hot springs at the “Orchard by the Sea.”
- To Kochi City with a view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean
- Access to Kounomineji Temple
- Parking around Kounomineji Temple
- Kounomineji Temple Official Website
- Recommended around Kounomineji Temple
The steep slope, known as the “straight and narrow” slope, is so steep that even cars scream.
It is so hilly that I would like to call it a V-shape, not an S-shape.
The road is well maintained up to the halfway point, and if you think the guidebook is exaggerating, you’d be wrong. Walking is hard, but so is driving.On the way up, if you step on the gas pedal too much, you won’t make it around the curve, and if you don’t step on the gas pedal, you’ll fall back.
Going downhill, especially in an automatic car, you have to keep your foot on the brake, which can make you scream so much that you even smell like you are burning.
If you are not used to driving, you may want to ask for a cab, but locals say it is no big deal.Once you get used to it, it seems like just another hill.
The well-maintained gardens are a refreshing experience.
There are approximately 150 stone steps from the Niomon gate to the main hall.
Trees beautifully line both sides of the steps, and the garden is beautifully landscaped.
The contrast between the blue of the sea and sky and the green of the mountains is also beautiful, perhaps as a reward for your hard work.
There is a sacred water called “Kounomine no mizu” (water of the divine mountain peak), so if you drink it thoroughly, it may relieve your fatigue.
Power Spot for “Prayer for Success
It is well known that the mother of Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi Zaibatsu, traveled about 20 kilometers every day for 21 days to pray for his success in life.
Many people visit the temple to pray for her success in life.
Take a leisurely stroll in Aki City.
You can visit the birthplace of Mr. Yataro Iwasaki.
It is hard to imagine that he walked from this place to the “Kounomineji Temple” every day.
The “Stray Clock” in the rice paddies is also famous. It is a clock tower built by an old family landowner in the middle of the Meiji period, who dismantled and studied clocks many times so that people working in the field could tell the time, and handcrafted everything from gears to weights.
It is also famous for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team, which now holds its spring and fall camps.
The Pacific Ocean can be seen from Aki Municipal Baseball Stadium, and the contrast between the sky and the sea is beautiful, making one realize that the earth is round.
Lots of good food too!
Aki is famous for its kama-age chirimen (dried young sardines). Kama-age shirasu” is often seen, but “kama-age chirimen” is rare.
It is soft, fluffy, and smaller than shirasu, making it easy to eat.
Chotaro-gai” in its beautiful shell is also recommended.
Since you have come all this way, you want to taste the local flavor as well.
Pirate barbecue and hot springs at the “Orchard by the Sea.”
Located on a hill, this inn offers spacious rooms with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and fresh seafood from Tosa.
There is also a hot spring bath where you can relax and take your mind off your fatigue.
Although only available on weekdays, the inn also offers a pilgrim-friendly plan and, although room availability is limited, accommodations for dogs are also available.
To Kochi City with a view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean
National Route 55 runs along the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely drive, stopping at Teineyama Port to see the movable bridge featured in a TV commercial, or taking a break at Yassi Park, a roadside station.
Access to Kounomineji Temple
2594 Karahama, Yasuda-cho, Aki-gun, Kochi 781-6422
Parking around Kounomineji Temple
Kounomineji Temple Official Website
Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Website：https://88shikokuhenro.jp/en/chikurinzan-jizouin-kounomineji/