Temples in Ehime Prefecture (No.40 - 65)

Ehime Prefecture is located in the west and northwest parts of Shikoku island.
It is the third prefecture of the pilgrimage.

For the pilgrim, Ehime Prefecture is called as Bodai no Dôjô (菩提の道場).
It means "Training school of attaining enlightenment".

The southwestern part of the prefecture faces Uwakai sea, and has the ria coast.
And the north side faces Seto Inland Sea.
There is Matsuyama city which is the capital of the prefecture between the areas.

The pilgrim enters Ehime Prefecture and reaches No.40 Kanjizaiji.

From there, the pilgrim goes up to the north.
But there are only four temples in this mountainous area.

From No.41 to 43, JR Yosan Line and expressway run near the temples, so it is convenient to use them.

From No.43 Meisekiji to No.44 Daihôji, the distance is about 75 km.
It is the third longest section in whole route.

There is Ôzu city about 20 km north of Meisekiji.
It is called "little Kyoto" and is a traditonal castle town.

Then, the pilgrim walks from Ôzu toward east-northeast.
The route is in the mountain and the pilgrim crosses three mountain passes.

The pilgrim finally reaches Kumakogen town located around 800 meters above sea level.

If you use car, railway and route bus, it is good to pass Matsuyama city.

No.45 Iwayaji is located at very attarctive place in 88 temples.
The pilgrim walks on a steep approach and climbs the long steps, then the main temple and the narrow precincts are surrounded with huge rocky cliffs.

The pilgrim walks from Kumakogen town to Matsuyama city.
The distance is about 30 km.

Matsuyama city is the largest city in Shikoku island and the population is about 500,000.

The temples from No.46 to 53 are dotted around the center of Matsuyama city.

The pilgrim walks along the coast of Seto Inland Sea from Matsuyama to Imabari city.
It is located about 30 km northeast of Matsuyama.

Imabari is known as the producer of towel, and is the south exit of Shimanami Kaido.

The temples from No.54 to 59 are dotted in and around the center of Imabari city.

The pilgrim walks along the northen coast of Shikoku toward east.
The area is the northeastern part of Ehime Prefecture, and railway, national road and expressway run parallel to the coastline.

The road to No.60 Yokomineji is tough.
The temple is on the mountainside of Mount Ishizuchi which is the highest mountain In Shikoku island (1,982 m), and is located about 750 meters at sea level.

There is a climbing road about 10 km long from the foot to the temple.
But it is narrow like forest road.
Because it is a winding road in the deep forest, it is hard to drive a car.

The temples from No.61 to 64 are at the foot of the mountain with Yokomineji, and are along the national road and JR Yosan Line.

No.65 Sankakuji is on a mountainside near the eastern edge of Ehime Prefecture, then the pilgrim enters Kagawa Prefecture.

Other prefectures for Shikoku 88 temples pilgrimage

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