Hotsumisaki-ji, Buddhist temple at Muroto Cape, Japan
Hotsumisaki-ji is a Buddhist temple perched 164 meters above sea level on Muroto Cape, looking out toward the Pacific Ocean at the eastern edge of Kochi Prefecture. The grounds sit on a dramatic clifftop location with expansive views across the water.
The temple was founded in 807 by the monk Kukai and later moved to its current clifftop location between 1044 and 1055. This relocation shaped its lasting role as a pilgrimage destination.
This temple serves as the 24th station on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, attracting visitors who walk the sacred route across the region. The site has become a meaningful stop for people following this long-standing pilgrimage tradition.
The grounds are open daily and offer parking spaces for regular vehicles and smaller cars. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, as the path to the temple is steep with ocean views along the way.
The temple grounds feature a special stone called Kane-ishi that produces metallic sounds when struck with smaller rocks. This natural acoustic property is something visitors can experience directly.
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