Shosan-ji

The temple's name means 'Burnt Mountain' because a fiery serpent once set the entire mountain ablaze. Kukai walked through the flames unharmed and sealed the dragon inside a boulder crack near the summit.

Shosan-ji se dresse sur le Mont Shosanji à environ 706 mètres d'altitude, lui conférant un caractère distinctement montagnard.

This is the first 'nansho' (difficult place) on the 88-temple pilgrimage, featuring 'henro gorogashi' or 'pilgrim fall down' paths so steep that locals tell stories of pilgrims who quit here.

At 706 meters elevation, it's the second highest temple on the pilgrimage. The grounds are surrounded by gigantic cedar trees over 500 years old, designated as natural monuments of Tokushima Prefecture.