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Zentsuji

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Zentsuji, Buddhist temple city in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

Description

Zentsuji is a city built around a significant Buddhist temple in Kagawa Prefecture and functions as a pilgrimage destination. The city spreads across hillsides and flat areas, containing several smaller shrines and residential neighborhoods.

History

The region was settled during the Kofun period, as shown by several burial mound clusters including the Arioka Kofun complex. The main temple was founded in 813 and became the spiritual center of the area.

Culture

The main temple serves as station 75 on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage route and marks the birthplace of the Buddhist monk Kūkai. Pilgrims regularly visit to follow this traditional spiritual journey.

Practical

Visitors can explore the temple grounds in a few hours, with stairs and paths leading to the main shrine. The city has bus stations and accommodations to support overnight stays for pilgrims and tourists.

Did you know?

Local farmers have developed a method to grow cube-shaped watermelons in glass boxes, producing perfectly square fruits. These unusual melons stack efficiently for storage and transportation.

Inception
March 31, 1954
Reference
372048
Shares border with
Marugame, Mitoyo, Kotohira, Tadotsu, Manno
GPS coordinates
34.22850,133.78711
Latest update
December 20, 2025 00:19

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Kagawa Prefecture).

« Zentsuji - Buddhist temple city in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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