Jōrakuji: It is the only temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage dedicated to Maitreya Bodhisattva.

• Name: Seijuzan Enmei-in
• Main Deity: Maitreya Bodhisattva (Miroku Bosatsu)
• Goeika (Pilgrimage Song):
• If I do not miss the ship of Vow,
• I shall someday reach the shore of Jōraku.

Access From Temple No. 13 (Dainichiji Temple):

• On Foot: Exit onto the road along the Akui River and cross the Ichinomiya Bridge. Follow the signposts through the countryside, and you will see a stone wall reminiscent of a castle enclosure. This is Jōrakuji. Distance/Time: 2.4 km, 40 minutes.
• 　
• By Car: Go via Prefectural Road 21, cross the Ichinomiya Bridge, and turn into Jōrakuji from the area near the Jōrakuji bus stop. The road here is wide and easy to drive. Distance/Time: Approx. 3 km, 5 minutes.
• 　
• Public Transport: Take the Tokushima Bus Kamiyama Line bound for Tokushima Station (via Enmei) from the Ichinomiya Fudasho bus stop. Alight at Jōrakuji-mae (5 minutes), then walk 5 minutes. (Depending on the bus schedule, walking might be faster.)

The Magnificent and Beautiful Garden of Flowing Water Rocks (Ryūsui-iwa no Niwa)

Jōrakuji is situated on a small hill in the suburbs of Tokushima City. From the edge of the Hōjō Pond, you ascend about 50 stone steps to reach the temple grounds. There is no traditional main gate (Sanmon), but rather a gate made of stone pillars.

The grounds themselves are astonishing. A vast, rugged bedrock spreads out everywhere, appearing to undulate like waves, creating a dynamic and wild landscape.

While the path is maintained, some sections require walking directly over the bedrock, which is bumpy and difficult to traverse. The stone steps leading up were not constructed from laid stone materials but were carved directly into the bedrock itself.

The Main Hall (Hondō) and Daishi Hall (Daishidō) stand upon this massive bedrock. This incredible view truly allows one to feel the wonder of nature. This natural bedrock displays unique patterns, giving it a beauty that resembles the flow of water in a mountain stream. For this reason, it is also known as the “Garden of Flowing Water Rocks.” When viewed as a garden, the arrangement of the Flowing Water Rocks in the foreground, and the temple halls and the giant Araragi tree (yew tree) adorning the landscape, gives the impression of a large-scale bonkei (tray landscape).

Araragi Daishi: Potent Spiritual Benefits for Eye Diseases

The giant Araragi tree that towers over the building in front of the Main Hall is said to have grown from a cutting planted by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). A signpost for “Araragi Daishi” stands nearby, and a statue of the Daishi is placed in the fork of the tree’s branches. It is believed that devout prayer here brings great spiritual benefits, healing eye diseases and various other ailments.

The Hidden Main Deity is Maitreya Bodhisattva

This is the location where Maitreya Bodhisattva is said to have appeared before Kōbō Daishi during his training. At that time, the Daishi carved the image of Maitreya Bodhisattva into a sacred tree, and this image serves as the main object of worship. Although it is a hidden Buddha (Hibutsu) and cannot be viewed by the public, Jōrakuji is the only temple among the 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage sites to have Maitreya Bodhisattva as its main deity.

Maitreya Bodhisattva is the Buddha of the future, prophesied to appear 5.67 billion years after the passing of Shaka (Shakyamuni) to save all sentient beings. It assumes the role of Shakyamuni and is said to bring salvation to those who were missed by Shakyamuni’s teaching.

DATA

Address: 606 Enmei, Kokufu-chō, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
Phone: 088-642-0471
Access: From JR Tokushima Station, take the Tokushima Bus Kamiyama Line (via Enmei), alight at Jōrakuji-mae (20 min.), then walk 5 min.
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.