Ishiteji Temple

Ishite-ji Temple is the 51st temple of the 88 temples in Shikoku, and was built by the Emperor Shomu, and is associated with Emonsaburo, who is said to be the origin of the Shikoku pilgrimage.

Located near Dogo Hot Springs, the temple is lined with magnificent halls, including the National Treasure Nioimon Gate, which attracts many worshippers. The temple is revered as “Odaishi-san.

Founded in 728
According to temple legend, in 728, the governor of Iyo Province realized in a dream that this area was a sacred place and enshrined the Kumano Twelve Devas, and in 729, the Buddhist monk Gyoki carved a statue of Yakushi Nyorai and enshrined it as the principal image of the temple.

In 892, the temple was renamed Ishide-ji Temple.

Niomon Gate (National Treasure)
The present gate is said to have been rebuilt by Kono Michitsugu in 1318, and is a typical example of Kamakura period architecture.
It is one of the most well-proportioned and elegant gates in Japan, and is designated as a National Treasure.

The standing wooden statue of Kongorikishi enshrined at the gate is said to have been made around 1240 by Ichimon of the Unkei school, and is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

Cultural Property
The main hall is a five-storied, single-storied Buddhist temple with a single gabled roof on the front and sides, built at the end of the Kamakura period.

The three-storied pagoda, which was also built at the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the Karyotei-moten Hall, the five-ring pagoda, the bell tower built in 1333, the bronze bell built in 1251, and the gomado, built in the early Muromachi period (1333-1573) are all designated as National Important Cultural Properties.