Kōnomine-ji, the 27th temple, is a mountain-top temple with an atmosphere of spiritual ascent, originally a sacred site for Shugendō asceticism before becoming a Buddhist temple. Its defining feature is the steep "Staircase to the Summit," which pilgrims climb through a forest to reach the main hall, offering breathtaking views of the ocean. A fascinating, lesser-known detail is the "Coughing Kannon," a statue that pilgrims rub on the chest to cure respiratory ailments. This practice is deeply rooted in the temple's ancient history as a place of healing and harnessing powerful natural energy.

27. Kōnomine-ji: Twenty-Seventh Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #konomineji #神峰寺 #第27番札所