## Dainichiji Temple (大日寺) in Itano, Tokushima: what to know before you go

Dainichiji Temple (大日寺) is Temple No. 4 on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (四国八十八箇所), located in Itano Town (Itano-chō), Itano District, Tokushima Prefecture.
Its commonly listed address is 28, Iuchi, Kurodani, Itano-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 779-0113, Japan, and the temple’s phone number is 088-672-1225. 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺

If you’re traveling the early Tokushima portion of the henro route, Dainichiji is one of the first temples where the pilgrimage rhythm starts to feel real: a numbered sacred site with an active temple community and well-defined visitor logistics.

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## Quick facts (verified)

### Names and religious affiliation
– Formal temple name: 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺 (Kokugan-zan Henjō-in Dainichi-ji) 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺
– Main enshrined deity (honzon): Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来)
– Sect / affiliation (as described publicly): Listed as Tōji Shingon (東寺真言宗) in Japanese references; Shikoku tourism notes the temple is a branch temple of Tōji (Kyoto) since 1887.

### Location
– Address: 〒779-0113 徳島県板野郡板野町黒谷字居内28番地 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺
– The temple is described as being in the northwestern part of Itano Town, at the foot of the Asan mountain range (on the Tokushima–Kagawa border). 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺

### Opening hours, parking, lodging
– Gate hours: 8:00–17:00 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺
– Parking (free, during open hours): 20 regular cars and 5 microbus/large vehicles (details vary slightly by source wording). 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺
– Shukubō (temple lodging): Not available / none 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺

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## Why Dainichiji matters on the Shikoku 88 route

Dainichiji is explicitly identified as the fourth temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage in both pilgrimage-oriented references and general descriptions of the route. That matters for planning because the first several temples are where many walkers and drivers calibrate:

– how long stamp/scroll stops take,
– how early to start for shorter winter days,
– how to pace temple visits so they don’t blur together.

It’s also a useful “checkpoint” for itinerary-building: Temple 4 sits early enough that you can still change your approach (walk segments vs. drive-all) without feeling like you’re abandoning a plan midstream.

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## Setting and place-name clues you’ll notice on arrival

Multiple official and tourism descriptions tie Dainichiji to “Kurotani” (黒谷, “Black Valley”) as a place-name associated with the temple area. Shikoku tourism explains the site is sometimes known as Kurotani because it’s a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, and notes the temple was locally called Kurotanidera (“Black Valley Temple”)—with the formal mountain name Kokuganzan also linked to that landscape naming.

Even if you’re not deep into Japanese temple nomenclature, this is a practical detail: when you see “Kurotani” on maps or signage, you’re not looking at a different attraction—it’s pointing you toward the same area associated with Dainichiji’s setting.

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## How to get there (what sources actually specify)

If you’re driving, the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage association page provides a route outline from Aizumi Interchange using prefectural roads toward Itano / Kamisaka and then turning toward the temple area (the page includes the temple’s address and routing guidance in Japanese). 88 Temple Pilgrimage

Because road conditions and navigation apps change faster than temple basics, the most reliable approach is:
– navigate to the address exactly as listed (〒779-0113 徳島県板野郡板野町黒谷字居内28番地), 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺
– then confirm you’re aligned with official access notes if you prefer interchange-based routing. 88 Temple Pilgrimage

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## Visiting etiquette you can follow without overthinking it

A few simple behaviors will keep you aligned with how Shikoku pilgrimage temples are generally used—without assuming you’re “doing it right” on day one:

– Treat the grounds as a place of worship first. Dainichiji is a pilgrimage temple and is presented that way in official and pilgrimage materials. 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺
– Keep your voice low around halls and gates. (This is standard temple etiquette; it doesn’t rely on a special rule unique to Dainichiji.)
– If you’re collecting stamps (nōkyō), build buffer time. The fact that Dainichiji is a numbered pilgrimage temple is certain; the exact stamp office flow can vary day to day.

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## Inclusivity and accessibility notes (what we can verify—and what to check on-site)

What can be stated confidently from sources: open hours, parking availability/capacity, and lack of shukubō lodging. 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺

What you should verify on-site (because it’s not consistently specified in the sources above and can change):
– step-free routes and ramp access,
– restroom accessibility,
– any temporary closures or construction.

If mobility access is a priority, the best practical move is to call the listed number (088-672-1225) before you go; that contact detail is provided on the official temple site. 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺

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## Data freshness check (important)

Temple details like gate hours (8:00–17:00) and parking rules are published by the temple and pilgrimage sources, but they can still change seasonally or due to events. Before you plan a tight day, confirm close-to-departure using the official site details (address/phone/hours) rather than relying on older third-party summaries. 黒巌山 遍照院 大日寺

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