Gakurin-ji

Gakurin-ji is a Buddhist temple in Fukuoka Prefecture featuring a red five-story pagoda set among gardens and accessed by stone steps. The main grounds include several buildings arranged across the property in traditional Japanese style.

Founded in 724, this temple serves as the 31st stop on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage route. The temple became integrated into this pilgrimage network, making it part of a sacred journey that spans the island.

Monju Bosatsu, the bodhisattva of wisdom enshrined here, attracts visitors who come to pray for clarity and success in their studies. People leave offerings and spend time in quiet reflection before this revered figure.

Entry to the main grounds is free, but there is a fee to visit the 14th-century garden. Wear comfortable shoes as the site involves climbing stone steps and walking through multiple areas.

The Chinese-inspired garden uses specific design principles that maximize viewing perspectives from inside the library building. This thoughtful layout shows how traditional Asian gardens work together with structures to create a unified visual experience.