Jizō-ji, さぬき市にある寺院
Jizō-ji is a Buddhist temple located in the town of Shido in the Sanuki region of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. It features traditional wooden structures, gateways, main halls, and gardens with winding paths, stone lanterns, and small streams that flow through carefully designed landscape spaces.
The temple was founded in 625 when a nun named Oshino Sonoko carved a statue of the Eleven-Faced Kannon from a sacred tree. Over centuries, the Fujiwara family expanded the site by adding stone monuments and buildings, with one member dedicating sacred texts and creating stone markers that survive to this day.
The temple's name refers to Jizō, a protective deity in Buddhist tradition. Today, pilgrims and visitors come to pray and find moments of reflection, keeping the site alive as a spiritual place where people seek peace and guidance.
The temple is situated in a rural landscape and is accessible to visitors who should remove their shoes before entering main halls. It is best explored slowly to appreciate the gardens and pathways, allowing time to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
The site marks the 86th stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, a route where visitors walk to 88 sacred temples across the region. Many pilgrims dedicate weeks or months to this ancient journey, praying at each location and seeking spiritual renewal.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
