Pilgrimage Temples #14,15,16 and 17

Five temples in Tokushima City

By Yoshifumi Hara

Community writer

The entrance of the temple is decorated with cherry blossoms in April (14th temple)

A statue of Kobo-Daishi, Araragi-Daishi, nestled in among some trees (14th temple)

Kobo-Daishi reportedly discovered the well feeding this fountain in order to save farmers (17th temple)

Five of the 88 temples of this pilgrimage are located in Tokushima city. Leave the 13th temple and walk 2.3 km. The 14th temple, Joraku-ji Temple, is beyond the Akui-gawa creek. This temple stands on a one-of-a-kind bedrock called "Garden of Ryusui-gan". The path of the pilgrimage goes through a residential area here. A short walk (0.8 km) takes us to the 15th temple, Kokubunn-ji Temple. You can enjoy a Japanese garden here in the temple. The 16th temple, Kannon-ji Temple, is 1.8 km away from the 15th temple. You can get a "mantra of the light" printed on your pilgrimage gown in the office of the temple. The distance to the last temple "Ido-ji Temple" is 2.8 km. The name "Ido" refers to a natural well that Kobo-Daishi found. Potable water from the well is available here at the 17th temple. The next destination is in Komatsushima-city.