No.37 Iwamotoji Temple

Temple 37 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, Iwamotoji in Shimanto is one of the most visually distinctive stops on the circuit. The inner ceiling of the main hall is covered with 575 painted panels contributed by artists and visitors over the years, ranging from classical Buddhist scenes to contemporary imagery, all coexisting in an unexpected patchwork overhead. The temple enshrines five Buddhist deities together, an unusual arrangement that draws pilgrims seeking protection across different aspects of life. The Shimanto River delta is nearby, and the surrounding area is rural and lightly visited, giving the pilgrimage route here a slower, more solitary feeling than sections closer to major towns.