Jōdo-ji

Jōdo-ji is a Buddhist temple in Matsuyama featuring traditional Japanese architecture with a main hall built in 1482 that displays regional religious architectural elements. The structure reflects the building practices and design preferences typical of that era in the area.

Buddhist monk Gyōki founded the temple in its early days, but it was destroyed in 1416 during regional upheaval. The Kōno clan then rebuilt it, establishing the form it maintains today.

This temple serves as the 49th stop on the Shikoku pilgrimage route and ranks among the thirteen key Buddhist sites in the Iyo region. Pilgrims still visit regularly, making it an active place of spiritual practice today.

The temple is located in Takanoko-machi and welcomes visitors without charging an entrance fee. It is open to the public throughout the day, making it easy to include in your visit whenever it suits your schedule.

The walls preserve carved marks and inscriptions from the Muromachi Period, left behind by those who visited long ago. Both Tendai priests and ordinary pilgrims created these marks, offering a direct window into centuries of visits.

Location: Matsuyama

GPS coordinates: 33.81669,132.80842

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49