Jodoji Temple

About 10 minutes on foot from Kume Station. This temple belongs to the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism, and is the 49th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It was founded by Memyo Shonin upon receiving an imperial request from Empress Koken during the Tenpyo-shoho period. The main object of worship here is of the Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha), said to be the work of Gyoki. The main hall—a designated Important Cultural Property—exhibits Muromachi period architecture, merging Japanese and Tang styles in a simple, grand way. The can’t-miss points here include the statue of Kuya Shonin (itself a Nationally-Designated Important Cultural Property), the valuable historical resources, and the graffiti on the main hall’s miniature shrine—written from Muromachi period to the Edo period.