お砂踏み osunafumi (stepping on sand)

この小道には、88ヶ所の霊場の砂を集め、連続するそれぞれの踏み石の下に埋めてあるそうです。この通りを、お参りしながら歩けば、実際にすべての霊場を、お遍路したのと同じ御利益があるそうです。

The sands which were collected from 88 place of holy spots have been buried under the each consecutive stepping-stone. They say that we can receive divine favor same as having carried out the pilgrimage of all holy spots if we walk while we pray for this path.