ABOUT
About this spot
Motoyama-ji is a Koyasan Shingon temple in Toyonaka, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture. It is Temple No. 70 of the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage and No. 29 of the 36 Fudo sites of Shikoku. The principal image is the Batto Kannon (Hayagriva), kept as a hidden image in the main hall. Temple tradition says Kukai (Kobo Daishi) founded it in 807, and a legend tells that the main hall was built in a single night. The present main hall was rebuilt in 1300, according to an inscription found during dismantling repairs. It has a hip-roofed, tiled design that incorporates Zen-style elements and is a National Treasure. The grounds also have a five-storey pagoda built in modern times, whose repairs were completed in 2019, and the Nio gate, an Important Cultural Property. A cucumber blessing is held on the Day of the Ox in midsummer, and a goma fire ritual takes place on the 28th of each month. Free parking is available in front of the Nio gate. Visiting hours and fees could not be confirmed. The temple is about 1.2 km from Motoyama Station and 2.2 km from Sanuki-Toyonaka IC, and seeing the main hall, pagoda and gate takes around 30 to 60 minutes.
Last updated October 25, 2026