Matsuyama Ishiteji Temple A boat full of wishes for good health family etc, written on colourful paper. Matsuyama, Japan A boat full of wishes for good health family etc, written on colourful paper. Matsuyama, Japan It is believed that the Ishiteji Temple was first built in the year 728. It is just one temple in a circuit of eighty-eight temples, pilgrams can spend more than 60 days walking along the whole circuit of the eighty-eight temples that compose the longest, oldest and most popular pilgrimage in Japan. Matsuyama A large incense burner, where worshippers can breathe in the incense smoke for their good health. Matsuyama, Japan Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper cranes were folded for peace and for the end of wars, the cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released, Matsuyama, Japan Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper cranes were folded for peace and for the end of wars, the cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released, Matsuyama, Japan Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper cranes were folded for peace and for the end of wars, the cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released, Matsuyama, Japan Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper cranes were folded for peace and for the end of wars, the cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released, Matsuyama, Japan The entrance to the tunnel that runs through the hill behind the Ishiteji Temple. The tunnel branches off in two directions and houses many statues and carvings, there is also an unusual dome shaped temple when you finally exit from the tunnel. Matsuyama, Japan Wooden statues and carvings beside colourful paper peace cranes. Matsuyama, Japan Candles are lit in memory of ancestors, Matsuyama, Japan Incense sticks (Senko) are lit in memory of ancestors. Matsuyama, Japan Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes, the ema are then left hanging up at the temple, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They are sold for various wishes; common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in your work or exams, a good marriage, to have children, and health. At some shrines and temples you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers. Matsuyama, Japan It is believed that the Ishiteji Temple was first built in the year 728. It is just one temple in a circuit of eighty-eight temples, pilgrams can spend more than 60 days walking along the whole circuit of the eighty-eight temples that compose the longest, oldest and most popular pilgrimage in Japan. Matsuyama