Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Kaigaku-ji Temple

 

     Local tradition maintains that Gyoki (668–749) came ashore at Gyoki-ga-hana Point and founded Kaigaku-ji Temple in 735. He is also credited with introducing salt manufacturing to Matogata Beach, where numerous salt pans flourished for centuries before eventually being repurposed as solar power plants.

     While these local accounts carry a legendary quality, they are grounded in the plausible historical context of Gyoki’s life. Records show that in 732, Gyoki completed the construction of Sayama Pond, a massive artificial reservoir in present-day Osaka. Around this time, he also met with prominent international figures, including the Indian monk Bodhisena, Fozhe from Champa, and Daoxuan from Tang China. Given his high level of mobility and active involvement in civil engineering projects across the Kinai region during the 730s, his visit to Matogata in 735 remains a historical possibility.

Address: Matogata-2069 Matogatacho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0111

Phone: 079-254-1952

Gyoki-ga-hana Point

Address: Matogata-1921 Matogatacho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0111

Himeji Matogata Daiichi Solar Power Plant

Address: Matogata Matogatacho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0111

Astec Himeji Daiichi Solar Power Plant

Address: Matogata Matogatacho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0111