Tanema-ji, Buddhist temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan
Tanema-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kōchi featuring traditional wooden buildings and stone pathways winding through forested hillside grounds. The complex includes several structures arranged around central courtyards and meditation areas.
A Buddhist carpenter from Baekje established the temple in the late 6th century after arriving on these shores during a storm. Later, the monk Kukai brought grain varieties from China that shaped the site's agricultural history.
This temple serves as the 34th station on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, where visitors gather to meditate and practice their faith. The site remains a meeting place for pilgrims who follow this sacred route across the islands.
The grounds are accessible via marked pathways with good signage for visitors to navigate. Comfortable footwear is recommended since the paths cross hillsides and the terrain can be uneven.
The name literally translates to 'seed space temple,' referencing ancient farming traditions tied to this location. Few visitors realize this connection to local agricultural history, which remains alive in surrounding village communities today.
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