Daihou-ji

Daihou-ji is a Buddhist temple perched on Mount Sugo surrounded by thick forest at an elevation of 474 meters (1,555 feet). The grounds feature ancient moss-covered stones and fern-lined paths that wind through the wooded landscape.

The temple was established during the Hogen period when Emperor Goshirakawa funded the construction of 48 monastery buildings between 1156 and 1158. This imperial patronage made it a significant center of Buddhist practice in the region.

This temple serves as the 44th station on the Shikoku Pilgrimage route, drawing people who walk this long spiritual journey across Japan. The role it plays in this pilgrimage shapes how visitors experience the grounds.

Access to this temple is best done on foot via forest paths that climb from the base of the mountain. Visitors should wear suitable footwear and keep in mind that trail conditions can vary depending on the season and recent weather.

The temple grounds contain 130 stones inscribed with the Lotus Sutra, discovered during the excavation of a renowned Kanon statue in 1934. These stones reveal how believers left sacred texts carved into objects as spiritual offerings within the sanctuary.