Honenji Temple

A Shingon Buddhist temple on a quiet hillside in Takamatsu, Honenji is one of the 88 sacred sites on the Shikoku pilgrimage circuit. Walking pilgrims arrive through a stone gate and up a shaded approach lined with old trees. The main hall sits on a raised platform with views over the surrounding neighborhood, and the grounds stay peaceful even during busy pilgrimage seasons. Inside, the wooden interior has the worn warmth of centuries of use. The temple bell is rung by visitors as part of the traditional arrival ritual. A stamp office near the entrance provides the calligraphy seal that pilgrims collect at each stop along the route.