Overview
Jiko-ji is a temple of the Myōshin-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism located in Fukushima, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Its mountain name is Ōryū-zan, and it is known as the 25th sacred site of the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage. Carrying the Zen lineage of the Myōshin-ji branch, the temple in the Fukushima district near central Tokushima has quietly received the prayers of Kannon pilgrims and local residents. Though set in an urban area, it retains the calm bearing of a Zen temple and is an easily visited stop on the Awa Kannon pilgrimage.
Highlights
- ●The bearing of a Myōshin-ji Rinzai Zen temple under the name Ōryū-zan
- ●Kannon pilgrimage as the 25th Awa Chichibu Kannon site
- ●A location near central Tokushima that is easy to visit
- ●The calm Zen atmosphere it retains within an urban setting
History
Jiko-ji is a Zen temple of the Myōshin-ji branch of Rinzai Buddhism, with the mountain name Ōryū-zan. The Myōshin-ji branch has its head temple at Myōshin-ji in Kyoto and holds many subordinate temples across Japan. As the 25th site of the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage, it has welcomed pilgrims centered on devotion to the Bodhisattva Kannon. For detailed history such as the year of founding, restorations, and the origins of its halls, please check the official information or reception at the temple during your visit.
Access
The temple is located in Fukushima, Tokushima City, on the eastern side of central Tokushima, near the mouth of the Yoshino River. It can be reached on foot, by bus, or by car through the city center from JR Tokushima Station, making it easy to visit while sightseeing in the city or touring the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage. For parking near the precinct and whether visits are permitted, it is reassuring to confirm the latest information beforehand.
Best season
As a Zen temple near the city center, it is easy to visit year-round: spring offers mild, gentle weather, and autumn brings clear air for quiet prayer. Part of its appeal is that it can be visited in any season as one leg of a journey along the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage. Please check official information for the dates of events and special openings.
Map
34.0711, 134.5660 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head from JR Tokushima Station to the Fukushima district and reach Jiko-ji
- 2Worship at the main hall and offer prayers to Kannon
- 3Receive the pilgrimage seal for the 25th Awa Chichibu Kannon site
- 4Combine the visit with city sightseeing and views of the Yoshino River mouth
Did you know?
💡 The Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage is a Kannon pilgrimage established in Awa (Tokushima) modeled on the Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage of Saitama, and Jiko-ji is its 25th site. The mountain name Ōryū-zan, meaning Yellow Dragon Mountain, overlays the temple with the image of a dragon symbolizing Zen teaching, lending it a distinctly Zen character.
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