Tatsueji Temple Information
Goshuin
- Omie
- 1,200th Anniversary Edition
Basic Information
| Principal Deity | Enmei Jizo |
| Elevation | 5 m |
| Google Maps | MAP |
Accommodation
| Shukubo (Temple Lodging) | Available |
| Tsuyado (Free Pilgrim Shelter) | Not Available |
History & Highlights
Tatsueji is an ancient temple said to have been founded by Gyōki, with Kōbō Daishi later carving the Enmei Jizō Bosatsu (Jizō Bodhisattva of Longevity) and giving the temple its name. Known as the “Great Checkpoint of Shikoku,” the temple is also admired for its beautifully decorated ceiling paintings in the rebuilt Main Hall and its principal image, affectionately called “Koyasu no Jizō-san,” a Jizō associated with safe childbirth and the protection of children.
Notes
The parking fee is ¥300.
Route Map, Distance & Travel Time
You can switch between the tabs to view the routes to the previous and next temples.
Select “Driving Route” from the map’s upper-left menu to display the driving route.
Click the Full Screen icon in the upper-right corner of the map to open it in Google Maps for a larger, easier-to-view map.
- From Previous Temple
- To Next Temple
Previous Temple: Onzanji
| Distance | 4 km |
| Walking | 1 hr 10 min |
| Driving | 15 min |
Next Temple: Kakurinji
| Distance | 13.1 km |
| Walking | 4 hr 30 min |
| Driving | 30 min |
My Walking Experience
Traditional Bamboo Forest Pilgrimage Trail
After leaving Onzanji, you will find a traditional pilgrimage trail on the right just before the Niō Gate. This approximately 1 km path through a bamboo forest is gentle on the legs and highly recommended for walking pilgrims.
Unlike the road route, this trail is quiet and peaceful, with the soothing sound of bamboo swaying in the breeze. It was a particularly pleasant section of the pilgrimage route, offering a sense of the traditional atmosphere that pilgrims have experienced for generations.
The Vermilion Bridge as a Landmark for Tatsueji
After passing through the bamboo forest and continuing along the road, you will see a vermilion bridge spanning the Tatsue River. Once you cross the bridge, Tatsueji is just a short distance away.
Using the vermilion bridge as a landmark, you can easily find your way to the temple without getting lost.
Tatsueji Temple Lodging
Tatsueji offers shukubō (temple lodging) for pilgrims.
Guests staying at the temple lodging can participate in the evening service (otsutome) starting at 5:00 PM, where they can experience Buddhist chanting and listen to a talk by the temple priest. It is a valuable opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a temple from a more personal perspective.
If you have enough time, staying at the shukubō and joining the evening service is highly recommended for a memorable pilgrimage experience.
Why Tatsueji Is Known as the “Great Checkpoint of Shikoku”
Tatsueji is known as the “Great Checkpoint of Shikoku”. The origin of this title comes from the legend of the “Nikutsuki Kane no O” (the Bell Rope with Flesh Attached).
According to the legend, a woman named Okyō, who had killed her husband and later set out on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, came to Tatsueji to worship. As she prayed, her black hair became entangled in the temple bell rope. After confessing and repenting her sins, she was said to have been forgiven and saved.
Because of this story, Tatsueji came to be regarded as a spiritual checkpoint where those carrying sins or falsehoods could not proceed further. This is why the temple has long been known as the “Great Checkpoint of Shikoku.”
Nearby Accommodation
If you plan to stay near Tatsueji or between the surrounding pilgrimage temples, see the article below.
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