- 2022.12.18
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Healing temple, ancient cave
Located about 40 minutes from Kochi City by car, Dainichi-ji Temple is number 28 along the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Allow me to introduce this beautiful temple with a couple quick facts.
Dainichi translates to ‘Great Sun’, which refers to the name of the most supreme Buddha in the esoteric sects of Buddhism, who is believed to be the force of all creation. In fact, there are two other temples with the same name in Tokushima Prefecture! Beware when googling.
Home to a variety of seasonal flowers including magnolias, weeping cherry blossoms and dogwood, you won’t get bored of Dainichi-ji Temple no matter how many times you visit in a year.
Although the main hall at Dainichi-ji Temple was recently rebuilt in 1997, only traditional techniques were used. That means no nails, just perfectly-carved pieces of cypress and pine wood slotted together like a sophisticated puzzle.
According to the local legend, Kukai (the monk who founded the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage) visited Dainichi-ji Temple and carved out a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) from a tree using only his fingernails. The temple is now known as a sacred place that can cure illnesses of the upper body.
If you’re visiting Dainichi-ji Temple, definitely stop by Ryugado Cave, which is only 10 minutes away by car. This year, every weekend during the month of December, there is a special event where the lights in the cave are turned off, so you can explore it with a handheld flashlight like a real adventurer! This might sound a little scary for those of us who are easily spooked. BUT it’s a rare setting for you to discover one of Japan’s largest limestone caves, formed over 175 million years!
Learn more about Ryugado Cave: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10018
Dainichi translates to ‘Great Sun’, which refers to the name of the most supreme Buddha in the esoteric sects of Buddhism, who is believed to be the force of all creation. In fact, there are two other temples with the same name in Tokushima Prefecture! Beware when googling.
Home to a variety of seasonal flowers including magnolias, weeping cherry blossoms and dogwood, you won’t get bored of Dainichi-ji Temple no matter how many times you visit in a year.
Although the main hall at Dainichi-ji Temple was recently rebuilt in 1997, only traditional techniques were used. That means no nails, just perfectly-carved pieces of cypress and pine wood slotted together like a sophisticated puzzle.
According to the local legend, Kukai (the monk who founded the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage) visited Dainichi-ji Temple and carved out a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) from a tree using only his fingernails. The temple is now known as a sacred place that can cure illnesses of the upper body.
If you’re visiting Dainichi-ji Temple, definitely stop by Ryugado Cave, which is only 10 minutes away by car. This year, every weekend during the month of December, there is a special event where the lights in the cave are turned off, so you can explore it with a handheld flashlight like a real adventurer! This might sound a little scary for those of us who are easily spooked. BUT it’s a rare setting for you to discover one of Japan’s largest limestone caves, formed over 175 million years!
Learn more about Ryugado Cave: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10018
