Overview
Kannon-ji is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon school in Kokufu-cho Kannonji, Tokushima City. Known as Temple No. 16 on the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, it bears the mountain name Koyozan and the cloister name Senjuin, and its principal image is Senju Kannon, the Thousand-Armed Kannon. As one of the prayer stations along the pilgrimage route where henro pilgrims come and go, it is a place to encounter pilgrimage culture directly. Notably, the district is read Kannonji while the temple name is read Kanonji.
Highlights
- ●Its standing as Temple No. 16 of the Shikoku 88 and its living pilgrimage culture
- ●The principal image of Senju Kannon and the heritage of the names Koyozan and Senjuin
- ●A prayer hub that is also No. 32 of the Awa Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage
- ●The intriguing mismatch between the district reading Kannonji and the temple reading Kanonji
History
Kannon-ji belongs to the Koyasan Shingon school and has long drawn faith as Temple No. 16 of the Shikoku 88. Its principal image is Senju Kannon (the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara), and the mantra of the honzon is chanted as On basara tarama kiriku. Its pilgrim song prays for guidance toward the Pure Land of Amida in the western world. The temple is also No. 32 of the Awa Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage (eastern part), making it a hub where several pilgrimage routes meet.
Access
The temple lies in Kokufu-cho Kannonji, Tokushima City, at roughly 34.07 degrees north and 134.47 degrees east, on the south bank of the Yoshino River west of the city center. Temple No. 15 Kokubun-ji and Temple No. 17 Ido-ji are nearby, making it easy to include on a walking-pilgrimage route. Driving is possible, but check the parking location and the latest route through official information in advance.
Best season
The Shikoku pilgrimage is walked year-round, but spring and autumn, with their mild weather, are especially suited to it. For a walking pilgrimage that links the neighboring temples, avoiding the harsh heat of midsummer and the cold of deep winter makes for a more comfortable journey. Since worship and sutra-copying reception hours are set by each temple, confirm them through official information beforehand.
Map
34.0685, 134.4743 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Visit Temple No. 15 Kokubun-ji and walk the Kokufu-cho pilgrim path toward No. 16
- 2Pay your respects to Senju Kannon at Kannon-ji and enjoy sutra-copying and the pilgrim song
- 3Continue on to Temple No. 17 Ido-ji to savor the flow of the temple circuit
- 4Take a break around Kokufu-cho, then return to central Tokushima or the Yoshino River to end the day
Did you know?
💡 The same Shikoku 88 also includes Temple No. 69, Kannon-ji, in Kanonji City, Kagawa. There the city is read Kanonji and the temple Kannonji, exactly the reverse of this Tokushima temple. The easily confused names are a favorite piece of pilgrimage lore.
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