is a

Shingon is one of the major schools of Buddhism in Japan and one of the few surviving Vajrayana lineages in East Asian Buddhism. It is a form of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism and is sometimes called "Tōmitsu" (東密 lit. "Esoteric uddhismof Tō- ...

temple in Sanuki,

Kagawa Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Shikoku. Kagawa Prefecture has a population of 949,358 (as of 2020) and is the List of Japanese prefectures by area, smallest prefecture by geographic area at . Kagawa Pr ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

. It is Temple 88 on the

Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage The or is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (''Kōbō Daishi'') on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, ...

. Pilgrims leave their kongō-zue at the temple when completing the circuit. The Ōkubo-ji temple bell and pilgrim bells have been selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the

100 Soundscapes of Japan The are a number of noises selected by the Ministry of the Environment (Japan), Ministry of the Environment as particularly representative of the country. They were chosen in 1996, as part of government efforts to combat noise pollution and to prot ...

. The temple's grounds feature a repository for walking sticks dedicated by pilgrims, symbolizing the completion of their spiritual journey. These sticks are ritually disposed of by burning them every spring and summer. Additionally, the temple offers a unique experience through a miniature pilgrimage under the Daishi Hall, where visitors can step on bags of sand representing the 88 temples, receiving the same blessings as if they visited each one. Okuboji is situated about 450 meters above sea level and is known for its beautiful autumn foliage, making it a popular spot for visitors in November. The temple is accessible by a 60-minute bus ride from JR Shido Station, with operating hours for the Temple Stamp Office from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The temple's location, history, and role in the Shikoku Pilgrimage underscore its cultural and spiritual significance, offering insights into Japanese Buddhism and providing a serene environment for reflection and exploration.https://88shikokuhenro.jp/en/iouzan-henjyoukouin-okuboji/

References

Buddhist temples in Kagawa Prefecture Shingon Buddhism Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Japan Shikoku Pilgrimage Sites {{Japan-Buddhist-temple-stub

See also

References