Kobo Daishi, who founded this sect, was born in Shikoku in 774. Throughout the island there are 88 temples that thousands of pilgrims visit each year in a fixed order to honor him. The Japanese believe that one who completes this pilgrimage will have one's wishes fulfilled. It takes about two months on foot to visit all the temples on this 1450-kilometer route, or about 13 days if one goes by bus. Traditional pilgrims dress in white and wear straw sandals and straw hats.
Accommodations are available near the temples.
Matsuyama claims eight of the 88 sacred temples. Just a few minutes walk from Dogo Onsen, Ishiteji is the 51st temple and the most well-known. Originally founded in 728, it was rebuilt after a fire in 1318. The temple has a resident deity who is said to relieve one's aching legs and feet. A visitor in traditional white garb pauses to offer a prayer.