Kakurin-ji, the Crane Grove Temple, is situated in a quiet mountain forest at 470 meters of elevation in Tokushima’s Katsuura Township.
Origins and History
When Kukai was practicing in the area, he came across a pair of cranes guarding something glistening gold. As he drew closer, the cranes flew off, revealing a small golden statue of the bodhisattva Jizo. Kukai carved a larger wooden statue and hid the smaller image inside, then built a hall to hold them. This legend gives Kakurin-ji its name “The Crane Grove Temple.” For more on the ubiquity and significance of cranes in Japanese art, check out this article from Japan Avenue.
What to See at Kakurin-ji
The last part of the mountain path to Kakurin-ji is paved with ancient flagstones and marked with cho-ishi, centuries-old trail markers that serve as vital clues to the history of the temple and the pilgrimage. Be sure to have a look at the guardian statues inside the temple gate—along with the usual hulking Nio guardians are two sensitively-carved cranes, memorials of the tale of the temple’s founding (see below). Inside the grounds you’ll find regal Japanese cedars hovering over a beautiful moss garden, along with a number of stone and metal statues of Kobo Daishi and the bodhisattva Jizo, the main deity of the temple. Turning right and heading up a long stone staircase takes you to the main hall. The more you look, the more cranes you’ll notice—a pair of metal statues stand watch in front of the hall, and the temple’s unusual crest, a circular crane motif, adorns the roof, candle-stand, and more. To the left of the main hall past a serene statue of Jizo is the temple’s three-story pagoda, covered in rich carvings of gargoyle-like guardians, angelic beings, and other mythical figures. A trail along the hill behind the pagoda takes you back toward the main hall, passing by several small chapels and monuments on the way. Heading back down the staircase takes you to the Daishi Hall and Temple Office. The trail to Temple 21, Tairyu-ji, starts next to the hand-washing basin, and descends about 500 meters before the steep ascent to Tairyu-ji.
Walk Among the Cranes with Shikoku Tours
Visiting Kakurin-ji with Shikoku Tours, you’ll have expert guide-interpreters to illuminate the layers of meaning that make this mountain temple so memorable, and to support you along the way—whether on foot or by car. Let us help you walk this sacred path with confidence, context, and care.
