Saikō-ji, Buddhist temple in Meiro no Machi, Tonoshō, Japan
Saikō-ji is a Buddhist temple located within a network of narrow alleyways designed to protect buildings from strong ocean winds and historical threats. The temple occupies a central position in this maze-like neighborhood alongside galleries, shops, and restored historical structures.
The temple serves as the 58th stop along the Shōdoshima Pilgrimage route and features a pagoda known as the Seikou-ji Okunoin Oath Tower. This location marks an important station on a pilgrimage path that has guided travelers and worshippers for centuries.
Around the temple stand structures from the Meiji period, including former storehouses for kimonos, soy sauce producers, and printshops. These buildings show what daily work and trade looked like in this neighborhood long ago.
The temple grounds are open to visitors and offer free parking along with easy access to nearby galleries and shops. The narrow alleyways surrounding the site are best explored on foot, and there are plenty of places to stop and look around.
The maze of alleyways was laid out over 700 years ago and follows a deliberate strategy to shield the town from danger. This intentional design reveals itself gradually as visitors walk through the winding paths and explore side streets.
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