Ishiteji Temple

What to know

Ishiteji (Stone Hand Temple), northeast of Matsuyama's center near Dogo Onsen, is the city's most celebrated temple. It is the 51st stop on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage, and white-clad pilgrims are a common sight on its grounds.

The temple's name comes from a legend: a dying aristocrat clutched a stone while calling for the priest Kobo Daishi, and was later reborn with the stone still in his baby's hand.

A well-preserved, sheltered approach lined with wooden shop fronts leads to the temple. The sprawling compound includes multiple halls, a three-story pagoda, various statues, and a unique inner temple reached through a cave. New statues and religious items continue to be added.

Ishiteji's Niomon Gate is a designated National Treasure. The main hall and pagoda are Important Cultural Properties, all showcasing Kamakura Period (1192–1333) architecture. A treasure house displays key artifacts.

Behind the main hall, a dimly lit cave about 200 meters long branches in two directions, housing many Buddhist statues, carvings, and drawings. It leads to the inner temple.

Emerging from the cave and crossing a street, visitors reach the slightly unkempt inner temple grounds with a large, golden dome-shaped hall. The style here is strikingly different, featuring carvings of the historical Buddha Shaka reduced to bones before enlightenment. A huge statue of Kobo Daishi stands on the wooded hill above.