Founded in 805 by Kobo Daishi, this serene mountaintop sanctuary serves as the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism and one of Japan's most sacred destinations. Travelers can wander through moss-covered cedar groves in the vast Okunoin cemetery leading to the revered founder's mausoleum. Over a hundred active temples dot the forested plateau, many offering atmospheric overnight stays where visitors can experience temple lodging and traditional vegetarian monk cuisine. It also serves as the spiritual beginning and culmination of the famed Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
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