Kokubu and Karakohama Trail

Nearby sightseeing spots

• 1

  No. 58 Senyuji Temple

  Its precincts are located on a hill at an altitude of 300 m near the summit of Mt. Sakurei, and you can see the city of Imabari below. Beyond that, there is a magnificent view of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea and the "Shimanami Kaido" (opened in 1999). The principal image of Senyuji Temple is Senju Kannon, the guardian bodhisattva of Emperor Tenji. This Kannon statue was supposedly created by a female dragon who came up to the Ryuto River from the sea, bowing three times for each chisel mark. It is also called "Ryujo Itto Sanrei no Saku." In addition, Senyuji Temple was supposedly named based on how a monk called Abo Sennin disappeared like a cloud after living here like a hermit.

• 2

  Gorobei Slope

  Once upon a time, Gorobei fell down on this slope and struck his hip, eventually dying from the injury. Since then, it has been called Gorobei Slope, and when walking on this slope, you should supposedly be careful and walk slowly. Please be careful as the slope is particularly steep around here.

• 3

  Stairway

  After passing through the mountain road, the view gradually improves. There are wooden stairs around here.

• 4

  Imabari Garbage Disposal Plant

  After leaving the mountain road there’s a rural landscape. You can see the Imabari Garbage Disposal Plant nearby. The roads in this area have little traffic and are walkable.

• 5

  Kokubu Rest Area

  We came to the Kokubu Rest Area. There are benches in this rest area. The next destination, Kokubunji Temple, is just around the corner.

• 6

  No. 59 Kokubunji Temple

  Kokubunji temples were built in each country during the era of Emperor Shomu to pray for a good harvest and national protection. The principal image of the Kokubunji Temple in Iyo Province is Yakushi Nyorai. It used to boast a magnificent temple compound, but it has been burned by several fires of war to its current state. The current main hall was rebuilt in the first year of Kansei (1789 AD), and is lined with a Daishido, temple kitchen, and a study etc. You can shake hands with the master in the precincts and make one wish. The master is also busy, so you can't do this or that.

• 7

  Wakiya Yoshisuke Mausoleum

  Wakiya Yoshisuke was a military commander from the end of the Kamakura period to the beginning of the Nanbokucho period. The younger brother of Nitta Yoshisada. Following his elder brother Yoshisada, he contributed to the defeat of the Kamakura Shogunate. After his brother's death, he fought in Hokuriku and Shikoku as one of the generals of the Southern Court, but fell ill in Imabari and died suddenly at Kokubunji. The current mausoleum was rebuilt during the Kan’ei era.

• 8

  Tomb of Imabari Feudal Lord

  The Tomb of Imabari Feudal Lord is located on a small hill along the Imabari Highway (former National Highway 196, current Prefectural Highway 38). There is a signpost along the prefectural road, and climbing the approach from there will lead you to a graveyard. The graveyard has three large, well-preserved Hokyoin pagodas for the Imabari feudal lord, the first Hisamatsu Sadafusa, the third Sadanobu, and the fourth Sadamoto. It's a historic site designated by the prefecture.

• 9

  Karakohama Beach

  From the Tomb of Imabari Feudal Lord, you can see Karakohama Beach, the Seto Inland Sea Shimanami Kaido, and Mt. Ishizuchi in the distance. Karakohama is a beautiful beach with white sand and green pines that has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan. It is crowded with beachgoers in the summer.