Maeyama Ohenro Koryu Salon

This pilgrim interaction center is a community center and rest area that sits along the main pilgrimage route between Temple 87 – Nagaoji Temple (長尾寺) and Temple 88 – Okubo Temple (大窪寺) in Kagawa Prefecture. It is a very popular stopover point for pilgrims before they reach the final temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

The center opened in November, 1999. To date, about 200,000 visitors have left their footprints at this location, including roughly 30,000 walking pilgrims. It has a museum section that showcases a sizable collection of historical artifacts and information around the pilgrimage. The items on display include the oldest henro guidebook from 1687 and the oldest stone path marker from 1781.

If you are planning on visiting the Koryu Salon, please observe the opening hours and plan your hike or transportation accordingly. There is a guestbook you can sign into once you arrive. Here you will get a chance to take a break, have some tea, and dive into the history surrounding the pilgrimage.

Upon walking in, there is a huge three-dimensional map of the pilgrimage and its routes at the center. It provides a great opportunity for pilgrims to visualize the routes they’ve taken to this point and reminisce about the journey. If you have walked all the way here from Temple 1, before you leave, you may also ask for a “Pilgrim Henro Ambassador” certificate, which certifies that you have completed the ~1,200km pilgrimage routes.

There is a michi no eiki (roadside rest area) directly across the street. Sit back and enjoy a meal at the cafe or grab some snacks for the road.