Jizō-ji: The 500 Rakan statues at the Oku-no-in (Inner Sanctuary) Are a Must-see.

• Name: Mujinzan Shōgon-in Jizō-ji
• Main Deity: Shōgun Jizō Bosatsu (Victorious Guardian Jizō Bodhisattva)
• Goeika (Pilgrimage Song):
• O Great Jizō Bodhisattva
• Savior of all six realms
• Guide us through this life And the life to come.

Access From Temple No. 4 (Dainichi-ji):

• On Foot: Walk through gently rolling farmland. Enter a narrow pilgrim path after passing under the Tokushima Expressway. Go via the Oku-no-in with the 500 Rakan statues to reach Jizō-ji. About 2 km, 30 minutes.
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• By Car: Follow the route in reverse from Dainichi-ji. About 2 km, 5 minutes.
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• Public Transport: No direct access on this route.

The Giant Ginkgo Welcoming Pilgrims

As you pass through the Niō Gate, you’ll find a statue of Kōbō Daishi standing nearby. To the right are the bell tower and the Awashima Hall, and straight ahead towers a giant ginkgo tree.
This ancient tree, named “Tarachine Ginkgo,” is said to be 800 years old. The main hall stands to the left of the tree, and the Daishi Hall to the right, giving the impression that the buildings are arranged around the tree as a central point. The nōkyōsho (stamp office) is located directly in front.

The Hidden Statue of Shōgun Jizō

The main deity here is quite rare among the 88 temples: Shōgun Jizō Bosatsu.
Enshrined inside the Enmei Jizō statue in the main hall, this is a hidden Buddha (hibutsu), meaning it is not normally displayed to the public. Throughout history, this form of Jizō has been worshipped by military commanders. It is believed that Shōgun Jizō helps people win battles or return safely from the battlefield—hence the name “Shōgun,” meaning victorious general.

This Jizō is quite different from the familiar gentle form: he is depicted in armor, riding a warhorse. A public statue (maedachi) of the deity is available for viewing inside the hall. It is said that Minamoto no Yoshitsune prayed here for victory during the Genpei War. Though the temple buildings were burned during the Warring States period, they were restored in the Edo period thanks to continued devotion from feudal lords like the Hachisuka clan.

The Must-See Oku-no-in and the 500 Rakan

Behind the main hall, a gentle slope of about 200 meters leads to the Oku-no-in Rakan Hall. This hall has a unique design with wing-like side structures. At the center sits Shakyamuni Buddha, with Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya) on the left and Kōbō Daishi on the right. The three halls are connected by corridors, along which 500 life-size Rakan statues are lined up.

These vividly painted statues, lit dimly, create a powerful and unique presence. Rakans are disciples of the Buddha who have attained great spiritual training and are considered the closest beings to Buddhahood. Thus, rather than serene smiles like the Buddha, some wear expressions of laughter, others of anger, and others appear sorrowful—showing deeply human emotions. This very humanity is the true charm of the Rakan statues. They represent the closest point between humans and the world of Buddhas. It’s said that you’ll always find a face among them that resembles someone you’ve lost, as a testament that anyone can become a Buddha.

DATA

Address: 5 Hayashihigashi, Rakan, Itano-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima Prefecture
Phone: 088-672-4111
Access: 5-min walk from “Rakan” bus stop (Tokushima Bus bound for Kajiyabara) from JR Itano Station (Kōtoku Line)
Parking: Available (Free)
Lodging: None
Oku-no-in Rakan Hall: Open 8:00–17:00, open year-round, admission ¥200

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