Origins and Early History
The temple’s origins date back to 815, during Japan’s Heian period. According to tradition, the Buddhist monk Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, founded Fujiidera while praying for protection from misfortune and peace for all living beings. He carved an image of Yakushi Nyorai himself and established a temple hall to enshrine it.
Kukai is also said to have built a ritual platform on a large rock known as Hachijo-iwa, deep in the surrounding mountains, where he conducted a seven-day religious practice. He planted a wisteria vine in front of the temple, and this is traditionally regarded as the origin of the name Fujiidera, which means “Wisteria Temple.”
Fujiidera subsequently developed into an important center of esoteric Buddhist practice and grew into a large temple complex with seven principal buildings. However, the temple was destroyed by fire during military campaigns led by Chosokabe Motochika in the late 16th century.
The pilgrimage diary Shikoku Henro Nikki, written in 1653, describes the temple’s dilapidated condition after its destruction. It records a small, thatched hall and Buddhist statues piled up in a corner of the deteriorating building, offering a glimpse of the temple’s difficult years.
Reconstruction and Changes Through the Centuries
In 1674, Fujiidera was restored by the Zen master Nanzan Sodan of Jikoji Temple. At that time, it changed from the Shingon Buddhist tradition to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
Another devastating fire struck in 1832, destroying nearly all the temple buildings except for the principal Buddhist image. The present temple complex was rebuilt in 1860 and has continued to serve pilgrims and worshippers ever since.
Highlights of the Temple Grounds
Visitors enter through the temple gate and are greeted by a wisteria trellis traditionally associated with Kobo Daishi, who is said to have planted the original vine. The grounds also contain a bell tower, a purification basin, statues of Jizo Bodhisattva, Fudo Hall, and the White Dragon Benzaiten Hall. The main hall stands at the far end of the approach, with the Kobo Daishi Hall nearby on its right.
Main Hall
The main hall enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing and Medicine. Its ceiling features a dramatic painting of a dragon amid clouds, created by a local artist, adding an artistic highlight to this sacred space.
Kobo Daishi Hall
This hall is dedicated to Kobo Daishi, the monk traditionally credited with founding Fujiidera. Visitors can pay their respects to his statue here.
Kyogi-nagashi Hall
This hall is used for memorial services for deceased family members and for the remembrance of unborn children. Two Jizo statues stand here, and visitors may offer prayers and pour water over the statues as part of their devotion.
Fudo Hall
Fudo Hall enshrines a standing statue of Fudo Myoo, a Buddhist deity associated with protection and the overcoming of spiritual obstacles.
White Dragon Benzaiten Hall
This hall houses a white dragon form of Benzaiten, a Buddhist deity associated with blessings and good fortune, depicted with eight arms.
Bell Tower
The bell tower stands quietly within the grounds and serves as a reminder of the temple’s long religious history.
Important Cultural Property: Seated Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha
Fujiidera preserves a nationally designated Important Cultural Property: a wooden seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Carved from a single piece of kaya wood, the statue measures 86.7 centimeters in height and dates to the late Heian period.
Although the statue has traditionally been worshipped at the temple as Yakushi Nyorai, an inscription written in ink inside the statue identifies it as an image of Shakyamuni Buddha. The inscription names the sculptor, Kyojin, and gives the date as 1148. Records also indicate that the statue was modified into its present form in 1549.
The inscription makes the statue particularly valuable because it identifies both its creator and its original production date. It was officially designated an Important Cultural Property on August 9, 1911.
Okunoin: The Inner Sanctuary in the Mountains
Fujiidera also has an inner sanctuary, or Okunoin, located along the mountain pilgrimage trail leading toward Shosanji Temple, the 12th temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage. The route passes through a quiet natural landscape dotted with small shrines dedicated to the principal deities of the 88 pilgrimage temples and the 33 temples of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage.
One of the most notable sites is Hachijo-iwa, a large rock above a mountain stream where Kobo Daishi is said to have practiced his religious disciplines. A small shrine dedicated to Benzaiten stands on top of the rock. Once made of wood, the shrine has since been replaced with a colored stainless-steel structure.
Farther along the trail, visitors will find a stone statue of Kokuzo Bosatsu, a bodhisattva associated with wisdom and memory. The shrine at the inner sanctuary houses stone statues of Dainichi Nyorai and Kobo Daishi. Pilgrimage inscriptions and stamps for this site can be obtained at Fujiidera’s main temple office.
Access to Fujiidera Temple
By train: From JR Shikoku’s Tokushima Line, Fujiidera is approximately 2.8 kilometers on foot from Kamojima Station or about 3 kilometers from Nishi-Oe Station.
By bus: Take a Tokushima Bus service on the Kamojima Line and get off at Kamishimajima. The temple is approximately 2.1 kilometers away on foot.
By car: The temple can be reached via Tokushima Prefectural Route 240, the Nishi-Oe–Shimoura Line, near Iio Shikiji. From Donari Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway, the distance is approximately 7.9 kilometers.
Nearby Temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
Fujiidera is an important stop for pilgrims walking the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The preceding temple is Kirihataji, Temple No. 10, approximately 9.3 kilometers away. The next temple is Shosanji, Temple No. 12, approximately 12.9 kilometers away.
With its centuries of history, distinctive Buddhist traditions, cultural treasures, and peaceful mountain surroundings, Fujiidera offers visitors an opportunity to experience the spiritual heritage of Shikoku. Whether you are undertaking the full pilgrimage or exploring Tokushima’s historic temples, a visit provides a meaningful glimpse into the devotion and traditions that have endured here for generations.