Sairin-ji

The temple is tied to a Kobo Daishi legend in which he found water here, linking Sairin-ji to a revered figure in Shingon Buddhism.

When villagers faced severe drought, Kobo Daishi struck the ground with his staff and discovered a spring. The water at Cane's Pool, 300 meters from the temple, has flowed continuously for over 1,200 years and earned recognition as one of Japan's Top 100 Waters in 1985.

Unlike most pilgrimage temples, you descend steps to reach Sairinji after crossing a bridge over a stream. This rare layout makes it one of the few temples on the 88-temple circuit where you walk downward rather than climb up to enter.

A haiku by famous poet Masaoka Shiki is carved on a stone at the temple gate, mentioning teiregi, a water plant that grows in the clear streams here. This plant is now designated a Natural Treasure by Matsuyama City.