Kinzan Shussekiji

On the 812-meter summit of Mount Izushi in Ozu City, Ehime, the ancient temple of Kinzan Shussekiji stands in quiet seclusion. Said to have been founded in 718, it belongs to the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism, with a thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Kannon as its principal image. As the seventh site of the Shikoku Bekkaku Twenty Sacred Places and a temple enshrining Jurojin of the Nanyo Seven Lucky Gods, it has long been dear to pilgrims. The grounds lie within the Setonaikai National Park, commanding one of the finest views in the region, reaching the Ishizuchi range, the Seto Inland Sea, and even distant mountains of the Chugoku region and Kyushu. The mountain name Kinzan, meaning gold mountain, is said to derive from a legend of a gilt-bronze Kannon appearing here at the temple founding, and the site has long been revered as one of the foremost sacred places in the Nanyo area.

Highlights

• A grand panorama of the Seto Inland Sea and mountain ranges from 812 meters up. On clear days you can even make out the mountain silhouettes of Kyushu and the Chugoku region.
• The bronze bell, a nationally designated important cultural property. Cast on the Korean peninsula, it is a so-called Korean bell, and tradition holds that Todo Takatora, who entered Ozu, restored the temple and dedicated the bell.
• A serene space of prayer centered on the thousand-armed Kannon, which also welcomes pilgrims as a site of the Shikoku Bekkaku Twenty and the Shikoku Thirty-six Fudo pilgrimage routes.

Enjoying the Seasons

The greatest sight is the sea of clouds that appears on early mornings from autumn into winter. Mountains floating above a sea of cloud below is a truly spectacular view. It tends to form on mornings after a chilly, radiatively cooled night, especially when the previous day was rainy or damp. Mountain cherry in spring, cool mountain air in summer, and crimson foliage in autumn bring the fresh clarity unique to a mountaintop through every season. Being high up, the foliage here often colors a little earlier than down in the city, another charm of a mountain temple.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 1 Otsu, Toyoshige, Ozu City, Ehime
• Access: About 70 minutes by car from Yawatahama Station, or about 60 minutes from Nagahama Station, climbing a winding mountain road to the summit. Public transport is scarce, so visiting by car is the practical choice.
• Parking: There is room for about 100 cars and 20 buses, a short walk from the main hall.
• Worship and visiting: Generally open during daytime hours. As a mountaintop temple, the trip can be affected by weather and road conditions.

Practical Travel Notes

• The road up Mount Izushi has narrow stretches and continuous curves. Watch for oncoming cars and allow plenty of time. In winter the surface may freeze or hold snow, so check road conditions before you set out.
• The summit is a few degrees cooler than the city and can be windy. Early mornings for the sea of clouds or sunrise are especially cold, so an extra warm layer is wise.
• There are few shops or vending machines nearby. It is best to bring drinks and light snacks from the foot of the mountain.
• Combining worship, the view, and cloud-sea photography, plan for roughly half a day centered on the morning to enjoy it at a relaxed pace.

A Quick Tip

The sea of clouds tends to form on chilly early mornings in autumn and winter, so aim to arrive around sunrise to improve your chances. The summit is cold, so dress warmly for your visit. Taking the mountain road calmly and safely is the first step to a comfortable pilgrimage.

📚 Sources

The information here is based mainly on the public guidance from Ozu city, its tourism division, and Kinzan Shussekiji. The information for the Shikoku Bekkaku Twenty Sacred Sites association, the Important Cultural Property bronze bell (a Korean bell), the sea of clouds from the summit, and on-site origin records are also useful references. Because mountain-road conditions, sutra-office and viewing hours, and winter road surfaces change, please confirm the latest details on the official Kinzan Shussekiji or Ozu city information before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time needed: Allow about half a day, centered on the morning, for the visit, the summit views, and photographing the sea of clouds.
• What to bring: An extra warm layer, as the summit is a few degrees colder and windier than the city. Prepare drinks and snacks at the foot since shops nearby are few, and bring cash for the goshuin.
• Suggested route: Drive the winding mountain road carefully up to the parking area. Pray to the Thousand-Armed Kannon in the main hall, view the Important Cultural Property bronze bell, and enjoy the sweeping Seto Inland Sea panorama from 812 meters. To catch the sea of clouds, arrive around sunrise.