onedaytrip

Zentsuji Temple
~ Kompirasan
~ Marugame Castle

Zentsuji temple

08.52 a.m. 09.14 a.m.

NITKC TAKUMA STA.

09.30 a.m. 09.40 a.m.

TAKUMA STA. train TODOTSU STA.

09.50 a.m. 10.00 a.m.

TODOTSU STA. train ZENTSUJI STA.

10.00 a.m. 10.15 a.m.

ZENTSUJI STA. walk ZENTSUJI TEMPLE

Takes about 1 hour here.

Visit the smallest of Japan's main islands, Shikoku, and you're bound to encounter pil~wims
embarking on the Ohenro, an 88-temple trek around the island's four prefectures. Each temple has its own distinct
characteristics and history, but one of the most important and unique is Temple No. 75, Zentsuji.

Located in Zentsuji town, Kagawa Prefecture, Zentsuji is

~~

the birthplace of Kobo Daishi otherwise known as Kukai
one of Japan's most renowned Buddhist monks and
founder of the pilgrimage. Kobo Daishi was born in and
grew up at the site of Zentsuji's West temple and later
constructed the East temple himself, making this complex
a must-see for anyone with an interest in Japan's rich history.

Upon entering the Daimon Gate to the West Temple,
visitors are greeted by the temple's main hall and an impressive
five-story pagoda that acts as a beacon for those searching for
the temple. But though Zentsuji's architecture is similar to that
of other Japanese temples, this complex has its own unique
gravity. A gnarled camphor tree said to be as old as Kukai
stands behind plaques that call for world peace, and statues
of Kobo Daishi populate the temple grounds.

Miedo, the hall where Kobo Daishi was born, stands
in the middle of the West temple. Underneath, a pitch-black
tunnel runs for 100 meters, the walls of which are covered
in paintin£Js of the Buddha and other reli£Jious ima£jery.
Passa£je is a solemn affair, a time to reflect and purify
one's heart.

Other sacred sites and relics connected to Kobo Daishi
are numerous. A treasure museum on the West temple
£!rounds houses Kobo Daishi's artwork, calli£Jraphy, and other
artifacts. The well where Kobo Daishi was first bathed as an
infant remains intact at the site of the temple.

Zentsuji's enormity is not only felt in the area of the temple complex, but also in the monuments
dedicated to Shikoku's most famous monk. Visitin£1 the temple combines history, reli£Jion, and architectural
achievement, makin£1 for a destination not soon to be for£jotten.

Information

Zentsuji Temple is a 15-minute (1.5 km) walk west of JR Zentsuji station, which you can reach by
transferrin£~ at Tadotsu. By car, Zentsuji is a 10-minute drive from the Zentsuji interchan£je on the
Shikoku Expressway.

KompiraSan

11.20 a.m. 11.40 a.m.

ZENTSUJI TEMPLE walk ZENTSUJI STA.

11.50 a.m. 11.55 a.m.

ZENTSUJI STA. train KOTOHIRA STA.

11.55 a.m. 12.10p.m.

KOTOHIRA STA.walk KOMPIRASAN

Takes about 1 hour 30 minutes here.
Have lunch for about 30 minutes

Kompirasan, formally known as Kotohira~u c~7Jtt*!'g,

Kotohira~U),is the main shrine of multiple Kompira shrines found around
Japan that are dedicated to sailors and seafarin~. Located on the wooded
slope of Mount Zozu in Kotohira, the approach to Kompirasan is an
arduous series of l ,368 stone steps.

Over many centuries, Kompirasan had been revered as a mixture
between Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple, until it was officially declared
a shrine in the be~innin~ of the Meiji Period durin~ ~overnment efforts to
separate the two reli~ions. Nevertheless, the former symbiosis is still
visible in Kompirasan's architecture which displays both Shinto and
Buddhist elements.

Despite bein~ amon~ the more challen~in~ shrine approaches in
Japan, Kompirasan is a hi~hly popular site visited by pil~rims from across
the country. The approach be~ins amon~st a touristy shoppin~ arcade filled
with souvenir shops and Sanuki Udon restaurants, from where it is a 785
step climb (about 45 minutes) past a number of auxiliary shrine buildin~s
and museums to the main hall.

Next to the main hall is a viewpoint overlookin£1 Kotohira Town,
and the Ema Hall which displays plates and pictures of ships, battleships
and even space rockets whose crews sou£Jht the protection of the shrine.
Interestin£Jiy, a real mini submarine is also on display.

Most visitors only make it up to the main hall; however, for the

adventurous it is an additional 583 steps (an additional 45 minutes) alon£1

a paved, forested path to the inner shrine (Okusha) of the complex.
Those unable (or unwillin£1) to make the climb, can hire a palanquin

(5300 yen £JOin£! up, 3200 yen £JOin£! down or 6800 yen round trip) up

to the main hall or take a bus (see details below).

Information

The start of the lon£1 approach to Kompirasan is a 10 to 15 minute walk from JR Kotohira and Kotoden

Kotohira Stations. Alternatively, buses depart from both Kotoden Kotohira and JR Kotohira Stations for Kompirasan.
Buses depart hourly and £10 as far as the main £late of the shrine about halfway up to Kompirasan's main hall.

The one way fare is 510 yen per person, and reservations must be made in advance (0877-73-2221).

Marugame Castle

14.10 p.m. 14.20 p.m.

KOMPIRASAN KOTOHIRA STA.

14.32 p.m. 14.46 p.m.

KOTOHIRA STA. train TODOTSU STA.

15.02 p.m. 15.08 p.m.

TODOTSU STA. train MARUGAME STA.

15.08 p.m. 15.25 p.m.

MARUGAME STA.wal MARUGAME CASTLE

cAMarU9ame Castle ~iJJX. Maru9amej0), also known as Kameyama Castle, is a hilltop castle in

Maru9ame City. Situated hi9h up on steep stone walls, the castle has a commandin9 view of the city below

and overlooks one of the narrowest parts of the Seto Inland Sea, a feature which afforded it control over

the main shippin9 lanes of the re9ion. Maru9ame Castle is one of only twelve castles remainin9 in Japan that

have survived the post feudal a9es (since 1868) with their keep buildin9s intact.

Maru9ame Castle was ori9inally constructed from 1597 to 1602
by lkoma Chikamasa, the feudal lord who also built Tamamo Castle in
nearby Takamatsu. However, due to a new policy by the sho9un that
limited the number of castles per province to just one, Maru9ame Castle
was torn down a9ain just 13 years after its completion. The castle was
rebuilt in 1660 after the province had been split into two. Over the
centuries many of the castle buildin9s were destroyed by fires, and now
only the ori9inal keep and several of the castle 9ates remain.

The castle sits as the centerpiece of Kameyama Park,
a large public park covering the original castle grounds, in the heart
of Marugame City. Visitors who wish to explore the castle's small,
three story keep must climb a steep road through multiple circles of
defense to the top of the hill and will be rewarded with panoramic
views out over Marugame and the Seto Inland Sea. The keep can be
entered and houses a small museum.

The castle grounds are also one of the region's most famous
cherry blossom spots with nearly 1000 cherry trees planted around the
walls and castle keep. The blossoms are usually best from late March to
early April, and an annual cherry blossom festival is held on the grounds
during the first two weeks of April.

Information

Hours
9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
Closed
No closing days
Admission
200 yen

Come back to NITKC

Buying a gift shop takes 40 minutes.

17.00 p.m. 17.20 p.m.

MARUGAME CASTLE walk MARUGAME STA.

17.40 p.m. 18.02 p.m.

MARUGAME STA. train TAKUMA STA.

18.10 p.m. 18.35 p.m.

'fAKUMA STA. bus NITKC

Have a ice trip back I