Shikoku Henro - Konzoji Station to Mino Station - Kagawa, Japan
I had planned to start hiking at 8 AM but ended up sleeping in and got to Konzoji around 9:15. The first temple, Konzoji, is right by the train station. I walked around, paid my respects, then headed to the second temple—Zentsuji. It was clearly a popular spot, with tour buses and lots of visitors. I didn’t stay long before moving on to Koyama Temple.
After Koyama, the real hike began—up a mountain range with five peaks. The trail crosses two before descending. I had checked the elevation before, but didn’t know much else about the trail. It turned out to be steep—probably the toughest climb I’ve done. I struggled for footing on a narrow, sandy trail where a misstep could’ve sent me sliding down the cliff. I finally reached Mt. Gahaishi (481m) and was relieved, but the descent was just as tough. I had to crawl down on all fours, thankfully there were chains to hold onto on the steepest section.
I reached the fourth temple, Shusshakaji, built right next to the cliff. I kept wondering, “Why here?” While resting, I met an older hiker who’s been doing this trail for over 50 years. He said this might be his last time, as the climb’s getting too hard. He gave me some chocolate and said goodbye—very inspiring.
I continued down to the fifth temple, Mandara, at the base of the mountain. After a short break, I moved on to my final stop of the day—Iyadaniji. It had over 500 steps, with warning signs about difficulty. I hesitated, but knew I’d regret skipping it. Surprisingly, the stairs weren’t that bad! I reached the top, paid my respects, then walked the final few kilometers to the train station.
Today’s trail was way harder than I expected, but I’m really glad I finished it.
Temple visited:
#76 Konzoji Temple 金倉寺 - Founded in 774 by Wake no Michitaka, the temple is dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha). It’s known as the birthplace of Kukai’s grandfather and symbolizes healing and wisdom.
#75 Zentsuji Temple 善通寺 - One of the most important sites on the pilgrimage, founded in 807 by Kūkai on the grounds of his birthplace. It’s also one of the earliest temples of the Shingon sect in Japan.
#74 Koyama Temple 甲山寺 - Established in the early 9th century by Kukai while building a reservoir for local farmers. The temple enshrines Bishamonten, the god of war and protection.
#73 Shusshakaji Temple 出釈迦寺 - Built near a cliff where young Kukai is said to have leapt off to prove his devotion, saved by divine intervention. The temple honors that legend and enshrines Shaka Nyorai.
#72 Mandara Temple 曼荼羅寺 - Founded by Gyoki and later restored by Kukai, this temple is associated with the spiritual mandala and symbolizes enlightenment and unity in Shingon teachings.
#71 Iyadaniji Temple 弥谷寺 - Nestled high in the mountains, this temple is believed to be where Kukai studied as a youth. It’s famous for its rock-hewn halls and sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea.
To see my progress on the full Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage, visit my Shikoku Henro Temples – List & Progress.
Getting There
I stayed in Marugame, so getting to Konzoji Station was quite easy. It’s just about a 10-minute ride on a local train along the JR Yosan Line, making it a quick and convenient trip. You can also reach the station on foot, by taxi, or by car, depending on where you’re staying and how you prefer to travel.
If you’re coming from other major hubs in Shikoku—such as Takamatsu, Matsuyama, or Kochi—you’ll likely need to transfer trains along the way, but the routes are generally straightforward. Most connections are well signposted and easy to navigate, especially if you’re traveling with a JR Pass or a local rail pass.
Route Overview
Distance: 21.48 km (Konzoji Station → Mino Station)
Total elevation gain: 796 m
Duration: 5 hr 21 min (with breaks 5 hr 55 min)
Difficulty: Challenging
Peaks: Mt Fudenoyama 筆ノ山 296m , Mt Gahaishi 我拝師山 481m
Cost Breakdown
Train: Marugame Station → Konzoji Station — ¥280
