Gokuraku-ji: The long-life Cedar Planted by Kōbō Daishi Himself Catches the Eye.

• Name: Nisshō-zan Muryōju-in Gokuraku-ji
• Main Deity: Amitābha Nyorai
• Goeika (Pilgrimage Song):
• If you wish to journey to Amida’s Pure Land, make ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ your constant mantra.

Access From Temple No. 1 (Ryōzen-ji):

• On Foot: Head west along the busy prefectural road in front of the temple. It’s a straight 1.4 km route—hard to get lost. Approximately 30 minutes on foot.
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• By Car: Use the same route—about 3 minutes.
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• Public Transport: From the “Ryōzen-ji-mae” bus stop, take the Tokushima Bus bound for Itano Station South. Ride for 5 minutes and disembark at the stop in front of Temple No. 2 (Gokuraku-ji).

The Vermilion-Lacquered Niō Gate

Arriving here from Temple No. 1 (Ryōzen-ji), you’ll first notice the vast parking area and the towering Niō gate painted in bright vermilion. This marks Gokuraku-ji, the second stop on the pilgrimage. Beyond the gate stands the “Wish-Granting Jizō,” and behind it a tranquil garden. To reach the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall, climb the steep stone steps on the right.

The Legendary Hidden Amitābha

The principal image of Amitābha Nyorai here is said to have been revealed to Kōbō Daishi after 21 days of ascetic practice, who then carved it himself. Its spiritual radiance was so powerful that legend says its glow reached the Naruto Strait, disrupting fishermen at sea. To block the light, a small earthen mound was built before the Main Hall—hence the mountain name “Nisshō-zan” (Sun-Shining Mountain).

The Cedar of Eternal Life

Within the precincts stands an ancient cedar wrapped in red-and-white sacred cords. According to tradition, in 815 A.D. (Kōnin 6), Kōbō Daishi planted this tree with the prayer, “May this temple be protected for eternity.” Now over 1,200 years old, pilgrims draw its “spiritual energy” by touching the cords, praying for health, family safety, and long life.

Anzan Daishi (Safe-Delivery Daishi)

This temple is also revered as “Anzan Daishi,” the protector of safe childbirth. According to legend, a pregnant woman who set out on the Shikoku pilgrimage seeking a safe delivery went into labor here before she had even begun the journey. In her pain, she heard a divine message from Kōbō Daishi in a dreamlike vision. Obeying his instruction, she completed the pilgrimage to all eighty-eight temples and, upon returning home, gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

DATA

Address: 12 Hinokidanoue, Ōasa-chō, Naruto-shi, Tokushima Prefecture
Phone: 088-689-1112
Access: 15-minute walk from Awa-Kawabata Station on the JR Kōtoku Line
Parking: Available (Free)
Lodging: None

Your Pilgrimage, Your Art

Completing the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime journey—but what if you could preserve it in a form that lasts forever?

Many pilgrims collect red stamps and calligraphy from each temple on a special silk scroll called a nōkyōjiku.

This sacred record of your path can be transformed into a kakejiku—a traditional Japanese hanging scroll—not only preserving the memories, but turning them into a work of cultural and spiritual art.

It’s more than a souvenir—it’s a way to honor your journey, your prayers, and your growth.

To learn more about how a nōkyōjiku becomes a kakejiku, and what makes this transformation so meaningful, please refer the below link.

Your Shikoku Pilgrimage, Your Art: Make Your Journey a Kakejiku, Japanese Traditional Scroll Art