Tairyū-ji is temple No. 21 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, or Henro. Located at 610 m above sea level, it’s one of the nansho, the difficult temples to reach on foot. Nevertheless, the climb isn’t particularly arduous for a reasonable fit person. 

Tairyū-ji is one of the most rewarding of the eighty-eight temples to visit. It’s a huge compound atop a high mountain with vistas in all directions. The beauty of its wood carving is second to none, and each image tells a story. This is one of the temples that has an undeniable link with Kūkai, founder of the pilgrimage, since he mentions the mountain in his writings.

After walking up to Tairyū-ji, its best to take the cable car down. The ride is exhilarating and offers fantastic views of mountains near and far.