@wanderfulrevolution: **Temple 64 — Maegami-ji** Maegami-ji sits near Saijō, at the base of Mount Ishizuchi's broader range, and the temple carries a strong connection to the mountain's ascetic traditions even without requiring the same demanding climb as Yokomine-ji further back on the route. The temple is dedicated to Amida Nyorai, and it has historically served as a kind of gateway or preparatory site for those undertaking mountain ascetic practice on Ishizuchi itself, linking it functionally to the shugendō traditions associated with the peak. There's a foothill quality to Maegami-ji that distinguishes it from both the high-elevation intensity of Yokomine-ji and the flatter plain temples passed through since — close enough to the mountain to feel its presence, but accessible enough not to demand the same physical toll. It functions almost as an echo of Ishizuchi's spiritual weight without requiring pilgrims to fully confront the mountain again. The temple's role in preparing ascetic practitioners for Ishizuchi ties it into a broader pattern of mountain worship running through this part of Ehime, distinct from the coastal and agricultural themes that dominated earlier stretches of the prefecture. From Maegami-ji, the route continues toward Temple 65, Sankaku-ji, moving toward the Ehime-Kagawa border region. #japan #88templepilgrimage #shikoku #longdistance #walking

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Tuesday 08 September 2026 16:12:22 GMT