Zentsuji Temple: The Birthplace of Kobo Daishi and the 75th Sacred Site of Shikoku 88 Temples

Zentsuji Temple: Birthplace of Kobo Daishi Kukai

Zentsuji Temple in Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture, is a temple built by Saeki Yoshimichi, Kukai's father, to commemorate Kobo Daishi Kukai being born in this place in 774. As the 75th sacred site of the Shikoku 88 Temples, it is an important pilgrimage site for henro pilgrims.

Vast Precincts and Temple Buildings

The vast precincts divided into east and west have numerous hall buildings lined up including a 43-meter five-story pagoda, the main hall (kondo), the Kobo Daishi Birth Hall (birthplace), and Mieido Hall. In particular, the five-story pagoda is Shikoku's largest tower and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Precepts Hall Walk (Darkness Experience)

Beneath Mieido Hall is an approximately 100-meter dark corridor called "Kaidan-meguri" (Precepts Hall Walk), where walking through complete darkness along the wall is said to form a spiritual connection with Kobo Daishi.

Surrounding Sightseeing in Zentsuji

Zentsuji City also has "Zentsuji Gakuzan" (a hiking course traversing five peaks) and "Sen-yuji Temple" said to be where Kukai trained. Since Konpira-san (Kotohira) can also be reached in about 20 minutes by car, a combined sightseeing course is popular.

Access

Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Zentsuji Station. Approximately 40 minutes by train from Takamatsu city.