Asia
Japan
Shikoku
Kagawa Prefecture
Zentsuji
Things to Do in Zentsuji
Zentsu-ji Temple
See all things to do

Zentsu-ji Temple

See all things to do
See all things to do
Zentsu-ji Temple
4.5
193 reviews
#1 of 25 things to do in Zentsuji
Religious Sites
Read more
Write a review
What people are saying
“A must place to visit if you are in Kagawa”
Feb 2020
Beautiful Temple and surroundings. You can learn so much from this visit. The birthplace of Kobo Daishi and Temple number 75 on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku.
Steven R
By Steven R
“Really great experience in the belly of the Buddha”
Jan 2020
This is a very large temple and is highly recommended for a visit while on Shikoku. I haven't visited a large number of temples in my lifetime, but I have been to a few. This was one of the larger ones that I have been to in terms of space and facilities. There weren't dramatic views or breathtaking landscapes, but the temple buildings are nice and accessible. There is also a great experience of walking through the tunnels and hearing okyo. The experience is really great and gives you a good sense of nothingness and separating yourself from all things around you. I highly recommend it along with the museum of artifacts that is part of the price. Kids might be a little scared going through the dark.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
290 within 3 miles
Kumaoka Sweets
12
490 ftDessert • Japanese sweets parlour
Kodawaritei Hachiya
12
0.3 miJapanese • Japanese - Other
Honetsukidori Hiura
3
0.3 miStreet Food
Kyofu Kaiseki Kappo Naosato
2
0.1 miJapanese • Kaiseki • Kappo
Kakitoku
1
0.1 miJapanese • Seafood
Zentsuji Udon
2
0.2 miJapanese • Japanese - Other
Honetsukitoritorisho
1
0.2 mi
Yakiniku Seoul
1
0.2 miBarbecue
Torishin
1
0.1 miJapanese • International • Japanese - Other
Japanese Cuisine Sakon
1
0.1 miJapanese
See all
Attractions
131 within 6 miles
Kazo-in Temple
1
167 ftReligious Sites
Kanchi-in
14
344 ftReligious Sites
Zentsuji City Local Folk Museum
1
0.1 miNatural History Museums • History Museums
Zentsuji Tourism Exchange Center
6
0.1 miVisitor Centers • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Sako Aratama Shrine
2
0.2 miReligious Sites
Kagawa Gokoku Shrine
10
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Nogi Museum
12
0.5 miHistory Museums
Oshaberi Hiroba
8
0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Zentsuji Municipal Tennis Court
1
0.5 miArenas & Stadiums
Kyu Zentsujikaikosya
16
0.7 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
193 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
86
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Steven R
Fukuoka, Japan209 contributions
Really great experience in the belly of the Buddha
Jan 2020
This is a very large temple and is highly recommended for a visit while on Shikoku. I haven't visited a large number of temples in my lifetime, but I have been to a few. This was one of the larger ones that I have been to in terms of space and facilities. There weren't dramatic views or breathtaking landscapes, but the temple buildings are nice and accessible. There is also a great experience of walking through the tunnels and hearing okyo. The experience is really great and gives you a good sense of nothingness and separating yourself from all things around you. I highly recommend it along with the museum of artifacts that is part of the price. Kids might be a little scared going through the dark.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stuchil
California104 contributions
Daishi birthplace
Aug 2019
One of the must visit temples on the trail, the highlight is the descent into the birth room of Kobo Daishi. The pitch dark approach to the room gives you a serene feeling.
Written August 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,034 contributions
Plan to spend several hours here - it is a large, lovely temple complex
Apr 2014 • Couples
Zentsu-ji is in a tiny town with no tourist information center that we could find. We got a map from the JR clerk but it was only in Japanese.

Directions: go out the station door and keep walking straight till you see the pagoda.
On this particular Sunday, the tidy little town of Zentsui-ji was utterly deserted. We walked and walked and walked. All the stores were closed. Finally we got to a cross street leading to a sort of significant gate in a pedestrian mall. Turning into the mall aimed us straight for the temple gate. It was about 20 minutes from the station to the gate at a comfortable pace.

Zentsu-ji is temple 75 in the Shikoko 88 temple walk. It is one of the most significant temples being the birthplace of Kobo Daishi. The pagoda and the large hall near the entrance required a lot of attention and we spent a good deal of time here at the beginning of our visit. (No photography was allowed inside the hall, but it was fine to photo the exterior) The temple complex is very large, however, and we worried about not having enough time in good sunlight since we came here in the afternoon. This first courtyard with its ancient halls, pagoda and a few huge 1000 year old camphor trees was very pleasant. A wall at the back of this courtyard is lined with many many statues of Rakan (Buddha disciples). Apparently there once were more but they have been destroyed. The remaining ones are quite interesting, with faces showing different personalities and individual traits.

There’s a short pedestrian avenue leading from this wall past another temple to a very big hall and a great many other buildings, There are quite a few new buildings as well that are less attractive to our eyes. In order to be sure to see everything in good light, the best plan might be to follow this path to the far end of the grounds and work your way back to the front gate.

There were very many worshippers and many were pilgrims in the standard white garb. At first it was very surprising to us that we saw so many people here, yet we passed no one walking the road to the temple. Later, when we got to the far end of the complex we found a gate to a fine arched bridge over a little stream, and beyond that was a parking lot with many cars and quite a few tour buses which solved the mystery of the many people at the temple. Before leaving we returned to the outer courtyard and took some final photos of the ancient camphor trees and the pagoda.
Written January 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
paso57
Paso Robles, CA1,084 contributions
Impressive
Apr 2017 • Solo
Zentsu-ji has a number of important and interesting buildings, including a very good museum. Pilgrims are often seen there. Pilgrims on the entry bridge provide a particularly good photo opportunity.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
OnsenFans
Hawaii61 contributions
Underground tunnel is a unique experience
Oct 2016 • Family
We came to Zentsuji specifically to do the underground tunnel ("kaidan meguri."). It was spooky but thrilling. The four of us made a train with our hands on each others' shoulders, left hands touching the wall; and it seemed to take forever to walk through the pitch-black tunnel. The walls twist and turn, and just when you feel that you cannot walk another step (because of fear), a red light appears on the ceiling, and a butsudan to the right is illuminated. This is the fabled birth-spot of Kobo Daishi. The sound of monks chanting, then "Kobo Daishi" thanking you for your deep faith and wishing you health and happiness, was also a little scary but comforting (?) A few more steps and you are out. Definitely a must-do in one's lifetime.
Written October 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jimcraw74
London, UK30 contributions
A must place to visit if you are in Kagawa
Feb 2020
Beautiful Temple and surroundings.
You can learn so much from this visit.
The birthplace of Kobo Daishi and Temple number 75 on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nonnapn
Manila, Philippines501 contributions
The birthplace of Kobo Daishi
Sep 2018 • Couples
If you are interested in Kobo Daishi, this is a place you should not miss. Temple 75 on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage, Zentsuji is the largest of all the temples and has many buildings dedicated to the Daishi. Do not miss the 100 meter tunnel under the Mieido and the Treasure House with amazing pieces.
Written November 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Warner L
Pasadena, CA668 contributions
BEST TEMPLE I VISITED ON ISLAND OF SHIKAKU
Mar 2018
This may be one of the most complete temples I've visited in Japan to that date; it has been the standard I measure all temples to since. I recommend spending enough time to see the whole compound from one end to the other. It will be on my list when I return to the island.
Written November 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MarkGroenewold
Takamatsu, Japan408 contributions
Birthplace of the Shikoku 88 Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage (75 of 88)
Sep 2018 • Family
Those who are deeply connected to the Buddhist Pilgrimage of Shikoku will tell you that this is one of three critical places to visit to have a "full pilgrim (ohenro) experience". The other two are Touji (Kyoto--very very cool) and Mt. Kona (also unbelievable). This is the birthplace of Kukai, also called reverently, "Kobo Daishi".

It is from here that Kukai began his life as a disciple of Buddhism. This is the original spring well. The grounds are expansive and beautiful. The pagoda is magnificent and the gates and temple hall are inspiring. If you dare, there is an underground passage that must be walked in complete darkness. If one is cruel or full of malice, they may be trapped beneath. Somehow on the last visit I got through okay. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Various statues are around the edges of the grounds and there are several buildings for you to check out and explore. Combined with Konpira this makes an excellent day!
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yosconnie
Madison, WI37 contributions
Not popular with tour guides
May 2017 • Friends
Apparently we were the first visitors our volunteer guides had taken to this site. Numbered 75 of the 88 on a pilgrimage route for Shingon Buddhists. Tourists in Kagawa are usually shunted off to Konpira the Shinto shrine. We, however, were on a mission to memorialize an ardent Shingon Buddhist. There were numerous structures on the grounds. Not to be missed is the main temple building with its pitch black tunnel (two minutes of experiencing the dark night of the soul) and the five story pagoda. We could even have done a mini 88 temple pilgrimage on site by paying dearly. Instead we shopped a bit for authentic Buddhist items -- incense, papers and yes, rosaries.
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
Showing results 1-10 of 19
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Zentsu-ji Temple, Zentsuji

Frequently Asked Questions about Zentsu-ji Temple