Autumn at Shikoku's 88th Temple

After circling around the sacred grounds of the Shikoku region, you reach Okubo-ji Temple, the final stop of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. It comes as a sense of completion. That a new chapter in your life has come to a close.

This temple is located deep in the mountains and is not easy to get to. However, it is worth the effort for travelers to visit. One of the reasons is the changing colors of autumn. The compound is overflowing with crimson, golds, and brilliant oranges. Around November the tree leaves begin their transformation. Another reason to visit is for the udon noodles. In front of the temple gate are souvenir shops lining the road. There they sell the udon. By afternoon, people are already waiting in line to taste the local specialty, so it would probably be a good idea to go a bit early.

From this point, devout pilgrims continue to the ultimate goal: Mount Koya.