Sect: Koyasan Shingon Buddhism
Principal Deity: akushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha)
Founded: Around 740
Goeika (Sacred Chant): “The Buddha, who rescues the suffering of all, His vow remains unchanged throughout the ages, To heal the illness of the people.“
Emanation Form: Joryu Kannon (Lotus-Holding Kannon)
The figure is characterized by holding a blooming lotus flower with both hands while standing on a lotus leaf. It represents the wish that, just as the pure, innocent heart of a baby transforms into a beautiful flower from a tight bud, our own pure hearts may blossom in the same way, guided by Kannon’s compassion.
○ History & Origins
The temple is traditionally said to have been founded by Gyoki Bosatsu during the Tenpyo era (729–749). Originally, it was known as Jingoji and served as the family temple for guardians and provincial officials. Although the name Jingo-jimight evoke thoughts of the famous Jingoji in Kyoto, there is no known connection between the two. The temple was a subsidiary of two nearby shrines: Soja Shrine (a shrine dedicated to the deities of a specific area, about a 5-minute drive to the northeast) and Sokura Shrine. The two deities enshrined here, Yakushi Nyorai and Jizo Bosatsu, were revered as honji-butsu, deities who appeared as Buddhas or Bodhisattvas to save sentient beings. Later, the name of the temple was changed from Jingoji to Sokuraji, and eventually, based on the title of the main deity, it was called Yakushiin.
○ Message from the head priest
To the south of Yakushiin, the Ayagawa River flows, and if you head east along its banks, you will find Unui Gosho. This is where Emperor Sutoku, defeated in the Hogen Rebellion during the Heian period, was exiled to Sanuki and lived in a temporary palace. It is worth visiting this historical site.
○ Access
Address: 1836 Hayashida, Sakaide, Kagawa, 762-0012, Japan
Phone Number: 0877-47-0387
Large Buses: Not permitted
Microbuses: Not permitted