Dōryū-ji

Dōryū-ji is the seventy-seventh Shikoku temple, set in flat coastal Tadotsu, Kagawa. Its distinctive 712 founding account tells how Wake Michitaka accidentally killed his wet-nurse after shooting a luminous five-metre mulberry tree, then carved its wood into a small Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, in remorse. In 807 his son commissioned Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) to carve a larger Yakushi enclosing the original—a Buddha-within-a-Buddha still held in the main hall.

Its Eye-Healing Yakushi reputation was sealed in the Edo period when the lord Kyōgoku Samanomiyatsuko is said to have recovered his sight after praying here. Eye-shaped ema and medicinal eye-tea continue the devotion. Along the approach, 255 bronze Kannon statues dedicated to eye health, traffic safety, mizuko-kuyō for unborn or stillborn children, and other needs receive pilgrims' personal petitions.

Dōryū-ji's atmosphere is unusual on the Shikoku route in two respects. First, the founding story is one of the few that begins with grief over an accidental killing rather than with vision or vow; the original small Yakushi was carved as penance, enclosed within Kūkai's larger image two generations later. The doubled image is a physical analogue of the layered intentions: outer compassion enclosing inner mercy.

Second, the avenue of 255 Kannon turns the approach itself into a ritual: each statue receives small offerings for specific needs, multiplying the intercessory function of the temple before pilgrims even reach the main hall. The cumulative effect on pilgrims with concrete petitions — eye trouble, family safety, unresolved grief — is reported as direct and steadying.

Founded by Wake Michitaka in 712 as a memorial and act of remorse following the accidental killing of his wet-nurse, anchored on a small Yakushi Nyorai he carved from a luminous mulberry tree.

In 807 Kūkai carved a larger Yakushi inside which the original small statue was placed. The eye-healing reputation was reinforced in the Edo period. The 255 bronze Kannon statues along the approach were added largely in modern times around older cores.

Dōryū-ji is reached on foot from JR Tadotsu Station or by car along the flat Tadotsu coastal plain. The temple sits within the town rather than on a hill; the approach is the first thing most pilgrims notice. Two hundred and fifty-five bronze Kannon statues line the path, each with a small inscription identifying its dedication — eye health most prominently, but also traffic safety, family welfare, mizuko-kuyō for children lost before birth, and many other specific needs.

Pilgrims walk slowly, dropping a coin at statues whose dedication matches a personal intention.

Inside the precinct, the standard liturgy proceeds at the main hall and Daishi-dō. The main hall houses the doubled Yakushi — Kūkai's larger image enclosing the smaller founding statue. Pilgrims with eye troubles often add a specific petition here: eye-shaped ema, votive cloths, and the medicinal eye-tea sold at the temple office are part of the local tradition.

The mizuko-kuyō area to the side of the main precinct is a quieter zone for memorial offerings to children lost early; it is treated with particular respect, photography is avoided, and voices stay low. The full visit including the Kannon avenue runs thirty to forty-five minutes.

Walk the Kannon avenue slowly on the way in, pausing at statues that match personal intentions. Complete liturgy at the main hall and Daishi-dō. Visit the mizuko-kuyō area only with respectful quietness. The eye-tea and eye-related ema are available at the temple office.

In 712 the local lord Wake Michitaka shot at a five-metre mulberry tree that emitted nightly light. A woman screamed and his wet-nurse fell dead. In grief he cut down the tree, carved a small Yakushi from its wood, and enshrined it as the founding image. In 807 his son commissioned Kūkai to carve a larger Yakushi inside which the small original statue was placed.

An Edo-period story tells of the lord Kyōgoku Samanomiyatsuko whose sight was restored after praying here, sealing the eye-healing reputation that continues today.

Shingon Buddhism. Working temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.

At the main hall: bell, candle, three incense sticks, osamefuda, coin, Heart Sutra, and the Yakushi mantra (On koro koro sendari matogi sowaka). Repeat at the Daishi-dō. Receive nōkyō at the stamp office. Pilgrims with specific needs make additional offerings at matching Kannon statues along the approach.

Daily worship and reception of pilgrims; sale of medicinal eye-tea and eye-related ema; mizuko-kuyō memorial services for children lost before or at birth.

Walk the Kannon avenue slowly on entry; pause at any statue whose dedication speaks to a personal intention. Add an eye-related petition at the main hall if relevant. Visit the mizuko-kuyō area with quiet respect.

Dōryū-ji is read in different ways depending on the pilgrim's stance toward devotional specificity — eye healing, mizuko-kuyō, and the doubled Buddha each draw distinct interpretive registers.

Films, episodes, and recorded talks for visitors who want more context before or after a visit. Speculative and alternative-history entries are labelled as perspectives, not as sources for established claims.

Continue through the atlas by country, tradition, physical form, or a focused search that combines this place’s strongest context.

Explore other sacred places in the region. Proximity does not establish access or travel time; check each place’s guidance.

Konzō-ji

Zentsūji, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

3.4 km away

Kōyama-ji

Zentsūji, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

4.9 km away

Zentsū-ji

Zentsūji, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

5.8 km away

Mandara-ji

Zentsūji, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

6.1 km away

Sources consulted for this page. Source categories describe the publication, not a guarantee that every claim is verified. Traditional accounts and outside interpretations may differ.

1. 01Sotazan Myooin Doryuji – Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage — Shikoku 88 Temple ReijokaiofficialOfficial temple-association entry.
2. 02The 77th Temple Doryuji Temple — Sanuki History & Culture GuideguideDetailed founding legend.
3. 03Doryuji Temple — Japan Tourism Agency / MLITofficialGovernment source on temple history.
4. 04Doryuji Temple | Central Kagawa — Kagawa Culture CompassofficialPrefectural cultural source.
5. 05Doryuji – Tadotsu, Kagawa Prefecture — Henro.orgguidePilgrim community reference.
6. 06Customs and Etiquette of the Shikoku Pilgrimage — Henro.orgguideEtiquette and visiting hours.