Yodaji Temple

Yodaji, in Higashikagawa City, Kagawa, is a special head temple of the Zentsuji branch of the Shingon sect, widely revered as a temple for warding off misfortune. It is said to have been founded in the year 739, in the Nara era, by the monk Gyoki, and its main image, the Healing Buddha, is also attributed to Gyoki. The Healing Buddha is a buddha who holds the great vow to remove all illness and bring peace to body and mind, and from ancient times has been known across the country as the Yoda Healing Buddha, said to ward off misfortune, open good fortune, and cure many diseases. It is also known as the grand inner sanctuary, a place pilgrims visit to conclude their journey after completing the Shikoku eighty-eight temple circuit.

Highlights

• The main hall that draws deep faith, with prayers for warding off misfortune, opening fortune, traffic safety, and the healthy growth of children
• The long history since the Nara era, enshrining the main image of the Healing Buddha attributed to Gyoki
• A sacred site as the grand inner sanctuary of the Shikoku pilgrimage, with a steady stream of pilgrims coming to conclude their journey
• The dignified temple buildings handed down to today after restoration

Enjoying the Seasons

As a temple for warding off misfortune, from the New Year toward the Setsubun season it bustles with worshippers praying for protection. Spring brings new green to the grounds, a calm season for a visit. In the pilgrimage season, pilgrims who have completed their journey arrive, and the air is fresh and full of a sense of accomplishment. Autumn lets you walk the grounds at leisure in a calm atmosphere.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Nakasuji, Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture
• By car: accessible from the nearest interchange on the Takamatsu Expressway (such as Oochi-Shirotori IC). Public transport is limited, so coming by car is convenient
• By train, you would use a taxi or similar from a station on the JR Kotoku Line; look up the route in advance
• For prayer rituals such as warding off misfortune, checking the reception hours and rough offering amount before your visit is reassuring
• It is also good to confirm the availability and number of parking spaces

Practical Travel Notes

• If you come to ward off misfortune, the New Year through the Setsubun season is the peak. This period is crowded, so allow ample time for your visit
• If you wish for a prayer ritual for an unlucky year or other purposes, confirming the reception method, duration, and offering amount in advance makes things go smoothly
• Many pilgrims visit as the grand inner sanctuary after completing the Shikoku eighty-eight circuit; if you want a temple seal (goshuin), check the reception hours
• Because public transport is limited, coming by car is the practical choice. The surroundings spread out in quiet rural scenery
• Higashikagawa is also known for producing wasanbon fine sugar and gloves, so touching on the local specialties along with your visit is recommended

A Quick Tip

This is a temple to visit when you wish to clear away misfortune and open good fortune at a turning point in life. Those who have walked the pilgrimage may stop here last to mark its conclusion. Joining your hands before the Healing Buddha in the quiet grounds, you can spend a calm time that seems to set both body and mind in order.

📚 Sources

Reception hours for prayers such as misfortune-warding, the guideline offering, sutra-copy (stamp) reception, and parking information at Yodaji can be checked in the temple's official information and Higashikagawa City tourism guidance. Its founding by the monk Gyoki and its status as the grand inner sanctuary of the Shikoku pilgrimage are also introduced in the precinct guidance. Looking up Higashikagawa's specialties of wasanbon sugar and gloves in advance enriches the trip too. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please confirm the latest details on official sources before you go.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour for worship at the main hall and a stroll through the grounds; allow more if you receive a prayer.
• What to bring: If you want misfortune-warding, checking the reception method, duration, and offering in advance keeps things smooth. As public transport is limited, visiting by car is realistic.
• Suggested route: Worship at the main hall wishing for protection and good fortune, pay respects to the principal image, the Yakushi Nyorai said to be made by Gyoki, and receive a sutra stamp as the grand inner sanctuary.
• Best timing: Misfortune-warding peaks from the New Year to the Setsubun period, when it is crowded.