Shiromine-ji, Buddhist temple in Sakaide, Japan
Shiromine-ji is a Buddhist temple spread across Mount Shiramine, featuring multiple halls, stone pagodas, and traditional structures arranged throughout wooded grounds. The buildings and passages create a sense of spiritual retreat within the natural landscape.
The temple was founded in 860 by Buddhist masters Kukai and Enchin as a center of religious practice during the Heian period. This establishment shaped the region's spiritual traditions for centuries to come.
The temple serves as stop 81 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage route, welcoming Buddhist practitioners who walk between the 88 sacred temples. For pilgrims, this location marks a meaningful milestone on their spiritual journey.
The temple is roughly 20 minutes by car from JR Sakaide Station, with parking available for about 200 vehicles. Getting here by vehicle is straightforward, and parking space is adequate for most visitors.
The temple grounds hold two 13-story stone pagodas from the Kamakura period with hollow interiors containing carved Buddhist seed syllables. These ancient structures demonstrate a distinctive building technique and religious craftsmanship from that era.
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