[Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture] Visiting Shrines and Temples (Ashizuri Peninsula Part 2)

Introduction

The most famous temple in Tosashimizu city is the 38th temple, Kongobuji, but there are also many other shrines and temples that are deeply rooted in daily life.

In this series, we have picked out some of the many shrines and temples that are as easily accessible as possible.

This is the second installment, part 2 of the Ashizuri Peninsula.

• Table of Contents
• The sky-high tree "Ako" and Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine
• Mejiro Shrine leading to a beautiful rocky shore
• Bonus: Kamado Shrine
• in conclusion
• Related article

The sky-high tree "Ako" and Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine

This shrine is located in the Matsuo village in the southern part of the Ashizuri Peninsula, which has been developed since ancient times.
Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine has a revolving stage for local plays and was a popular entertainment center in the area.
In addition, just behind the temple grounds is a large tree called "Ako", which is estimated to be over 800 years old, 22 meters tall, and has a trunk that is 12 meters thick. It was registered as a national natural monument in 1924.

Ako Tree

Detailed information on Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine

For more information, please see the links below:

Tosashimizu City website Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine Rotating Stage

Overview of Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine

There is no gate, so you can basically visit the shrine 24 hours a day, but since it is located within a village, we do not recommend visiting early in the morning or late at night.
Please visit and tour the shrine during the day if possible.

Parking

There is one parking space for visitors and spectators of the revolving stage next to Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine, so please use that. There are no other parking spaces nearby.

About the toilets

There are no toilets at Matsuo Tenmangu Shrine.
Please also note that there are no accessible toilets in the surrounding area.

access

Google Maps

Access by car

From downtown Tosashimizu, take Prefectural Highway 27 westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama) for about 15 minutes. The roads in Matsuo village are very narrow, so please take the road that leads directly off Prefectural Highway 27.
(Look for the signs for Matsuo Fishing Port, Ako Tree, and Yoshifuku Family Residence.)
It is about 500m from the fork in Prefectural Route 27.

Access by public transport

Get off at Kochi Southwest Bus "Jinja-mae" bus stop. About 2 minutes walk from the bus stop.
Access is only available on the westbound route to Cape Ashizuri (via Nakahama and Ohama).
Please note that the eastbound route (via Kubotsu) does not pass through this bus stop.

The ride takes about 30 minutes from Plaza Pal, the terminal in Tosashimizu City.

Mejiro Shrine leading to a beautiful rocky shore

This is also a shrine located in Matsuo village.
The god of safe childbirth is enshrined here.
It is located on the road leading to the beautiful rocky shore of Megurohana, and relics from World War II remain nearby.

Mejirobana

This is a rare rocky shore around Cape Ashizuri where you can land relatively safely.

However, there are no maintained walking paths, so please be careful when descending.

Former site of Onnajohana lookout post

These are the remains of a surveillance trench built at the end of World War II (Pacific War).

Overview of Meguro Shrine

This shrine also does not have a gate, so you can visit 24 hours a day.

The entrance is close to the town center of Matsuo village, so visiting late at night or early in the morning may be a nuisance to the surrounding residents and is not recommended.

Please visit during the day if possible.

This torii gate marks the entrance.

Parking

The Yoshifuku family residence's parking lot is located about 100m before the torii gate.

It's unofficial but available.

You will need to turn through very narrow alleys, so it may be difficult for larger vehicles.

About the toilets

There are no toilets near Meguro Shrine.

Please be careful as there were no toilets nearby that looked like they could be used by the public.

access

Google Maps

Access by car

From Tosashimizu city, take Prefectural Route 27 westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama) for about 15 minutes.

The roads within Matsuo village are very narrow, so please be careful of pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.

It is also on a local bus route, so please be careful.

Access by public transport

Take the Kochi Southwest Bus to "Matsuo-ku Nagaba-mae" bus stop. About a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.

Access is only available on the westbound route to Cape Ashizuri (via Nakahama and Ohama).

Please note that the eastbound route (via Kubotsu) does not pass through this bus stop. The ride takes about 30 minutes from Plaza Pal, the terminal in Tosashimizu City.

Bonus: Kamado Shrine

The scale of the shrine itself is similar to that of a small shrine.

The surrounding environment was very nice, so I would like to introduce it to you.

What do you think? This feeling.

The shrine building is also quite mysterious.

What lies beneath this huge rock is reminiscent of Tojindaba.

Overview of Kamado Shrine

I've done some searching, but there isn't much information available.

Kamado Shrines can be found in various places and have been worshiped since ancient times.

He was worshipped as the god of matchmaking, protection from evil, and warding off evil spirits.

Anyway, I was personally very drawn to the atmosphere.

In addition, it is located along Prefectural Route 27, so it is very easy to access.

It's in a place where you can drop in quickly if you see it.

Parking

There is no official parking lot.

However, it is close to the junction of the old road and the new road, and there is a large space on the side of the road.

You might be able to park your car there for a short while.

However, please be careful not to get in the way of others passing by.

About the toilets

There are no facilities nearby.

I think the nearest toilet is the public toilet at Cape Ashizuri.

access

Access by car

I think there are not many people who are aiming for just this.

It is about 3 km from Cape Ashizuri and takes about 5 minutes to get there.

The landmarks are three giant trees.

From Kubotsu, it's about 6 km and takes about 10 minutes.

Access by public transport

Get off at Kochi Southwest Bus "Akashou Ipponmatsu" or "Akashou Higashi"

It is located exactly halfway between the two bus stops.

Please note that access is only available from the eastbound direction (via Kubotsu) towards Cape Ashizuri.

Please note that the westbound route (via Nakahama and Ohama) does not pass through this bus stop.

The bus stop is about 200m away, about a 3-minute walk away.

in conclusion

This time, I have introduced three shrines.

They are a little difficult to get to, but I think they are worth it.

If you are interested in shrines and temples, please come and see them.

Next time, I would like to leave the Ashizuri Peninsula and introduce some shrines and temples on the west side of Tosashimizu City.

Related article