Ryozen-ji Temple — Start of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage

Ryozen-ji (霊山寺) is Temple #1 of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage (四国八十八ヶ所, Shikoku Hachijū-Hakkasho), a 1,200km Buddhist pilgrimage route circling Shikoku Island that follows the footsteps of Kobo Daishi, who founded Shingon Buddhism. Pilgrims dressed in white vests (hakue) and conical hats begin their journey here, purchasing pilgrimage supplies (stamped books, walking sticks, bell) from the temple shop.

The temple grounds are modest but carry symbolic weight — the starting gate where thousands of pilgrims per year begin a spiritual journey that takes 40–60 days on foot, 10 days by car, or weeks by bicycle.