[Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture] Visiting Shrines and Temples (Western Tosashimizu City 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 third installment and features part 2 of the western part of Tosashimizu City.

• Table of Contents
• New Shikoku 88 Temples Fujiidera Temple
• Shimomasuno Nekogami Shrine, quietly standing by the river
• in conclusion
• Related article

New Shikoku 88 Temples Fujiidera Temple

This temple is located in an area close to Sakurahama Beach and Ashizuri Aquarium SATOUMI.
Although it is located a little way off the national highway, the grounds are surrounded by hills and trees, making it a very quiet and peaceful place.

New Shikoku 88 Temples

As written on the nameplate, there are 88 Jizo statues enshrined within the temple grounds, which contain talismans from the 88 temples of Shikoku, making them the new 88 temples of Shikoku.

It is also placed behind the cherry blossoms that have just begun to bloom.

There is also a large Jizo statue holding a child.
It is probably Koyasu Jizo, but I don't know the details.

It may be a little hard to find, but once you enter the temple grounds, there is a hall on high ground on the right hand side a short distance away.
Ferns and subtropical plants can also be seen, giving the place a tropical feel.

Overview of Fujiidera

There is no entrance gate, so you can visit the shrine 24 hours a day, but we do not recommend visiting after dark as there is a house in the grounds that is looked after and it can be a nuisance.
Please visit while it is still light out.

Parking

There is no dedicated parking at Fujidera.
Across a small river is the Tatsukushi Visitor Center parking lot (about 100m)
The municipal parking lot across the street (about 150m)
Sakurahama Beach parking lot (about 200m)
Tatsukushi Municipal Parking Lot (approximately 300m) is available.

About the toilets

There are no public toilets within the grounds.

Tatsukushi Visitor Center "Uminowa" (approx. 150m)
Sakurahama Beach Toilet (approx. 200m)
The Umi Galleria Terrace Toilet (approximately 300m) is available for use.

access

Google Maps

Access by car

From Tosashimizu city, take National Route 321 for about 15 minutes (approximately 12 km)
It is about 50 minutes from Shimanto city center via National Route 321 and Furusato Forest Road. The location is a little difficult to find, so please use the Tatsukushi Visitor Center Uminowa as a landmark.

Access by public transport

About 3 minutes walk (about 200m) from Kochi Southwest Bus "SATOUMI-mae"
Or take the Kochi Southwest Bus to "Tatsukushi" and walk for about 5 minutes (about 300m)

From Tosashimizu city, go to "Sukumo Station" From Sukumo and Otsukicho, go to "Shimizu Bus Center" or "Shimizu Plaza Pal Front"

Shimomasuno Nekogami Shrine, quietly standing by the river

Long ago, there was a temple called Saikoji on the mountain behind Nekogami Shrine, and the head priest was a huge cat lover who would always have a beloved cat on his lap. However, one day the cat suddenly died, and the head priest, grieving over the death, built this shrine as a memorial for the cat.

Then, word spread that it was effective for asthma symptoms, known as "Ikkitsuri," and it seems that many people used to visit the shrine.
Even now, cat lovers still come to worship from time to time.

It is a small shrine located just across the irrigation canal along the river.

Overview of Nekogami Shrine

There is no entrance gate, so you can visit the shrine 24 hours a day, but there are few streetlights in the surrounding area, and there is a risk of falling into the river or open irrigation canals, so visiting in the dark is not recommended. Please visit while it is light out.

Parking

There is no dedicated parking lot at Nekogami Shrine.
This parking lot is located in front of the entrance to the Tosa Shimizu Water Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, so parking on the street is prohibited.
There is also parking space for one or two cars on the side of the farm road in front of Nekojinja Shrine.

About the toilets

There are no public toilets near Nekogami Shrine.
The nearest toilets are available at the Mejika no Sato Roadside Station (approximately 2.4 km, 5 minutes by car).

access

Google Maps

Access by car

From Tosashimizu city center, take National Route 321 for about 13 minutes (about 8 km)
Looking at the map, there is a shortcut route via a farm road, but as this is a road used by concrete mixer trucks, it is best to take the slightly longer route via the wider road.

Access by public transport

Get off at Kochi Southwest Bus "Masuno" and walk for about 5 minutes (approximately 350m)
Or take the Kochi Southwest Bus to "Masunobashi" and walk for about 10 minutes (approximately 700m)

From Tosashimizu city, go to "Sukumo Station (Sukumo)" From Sukumo and Otsukicho, go to "Shimizu Bus Center" or "Shimizu Plaza Pal Front"

in conclusion

In this article, we introduced Fujiidera and Nekogami Shrine.
Both of these places are hidden spots that many people living in Tosashimizu City are probably unaware of, but we believe you will be able to experience the beauty of the surrounding natural environment and its rich history.

This article marks the last introduction to the shrines and temples in the area that we are currently able to cover.
In the future, I would like to write articles as soon as I am able to cover shrines in the city area and the northern part of Tosashimizu.

Related article