Travel / Tourism Spots in Kotohira / Kanonji Area

  • Zentsuji Temple
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    4.5
    193 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Zentsujishi Zentsujichou 3-3-1
    Zentsuji Temple is the grand head temple of the Shingon sect Zentsuji school, located in Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture. It is the 75th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The area where the temple stands is known as the birthplace of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), and he himself built the temple over a period of six years from 807 with the aid of donations from his father. The temple is noted as one of the three holy sites linked to Kobo Daishi and has drawn worshipers since the olden days. Within the vast temple grounds are housed National Treasures relating to Kobo Daishi and numerous Important Cultural Properties. Saiin, or the Western Temple, is called the birthplace temple and it is here where visitors will find the ordination platform revered as the place of Kobo Daishi’s birth.

    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.

  • Kotohira-gu Shrine
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Prefecture Nakatado-gun Kotohira-cho 892-1
    Kotohira-gu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located halfway up Mt. Zozu (which is 521 meters high) in Kotohira Town; it is commonly known as Konpira-san. There are a number of legends concerning the origins of the shrine, all of which suggest a mixture of Shinto and Buddhist influences. Besides the principal kami (deity) of the shrine, O-mono-nushi-no-kami, the spirit of the Sutoku Emperor is also worshipped there. O-mono-nushi-no-mikoto is worshipped as the guardian deity of seafarers. Besides the Homotsu-kan (Treasure Hall) and the Omote Sho-in hall, there are many other fascinating things to see, including the Takahashi Yuichi Hall, where oil paintings by the renowned artist Takahashi Yuichi are on display.

    本宮の手前にあります。昔は本宮と間違えてしまい、こちらを参拝して帰ってしまう人もいたそうですが、なるほどと思います。 今は本宮の帰りに参拝するようにロープで歩道が区切られています。正面に屋根付きのベンチが置かれていて、長い階段を上ってきた後に、ここで一息入れることができます。 彫刻が素晴らしく、じっと見入ってしまいそうです。

  • Chichibugahama Beach
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    4.5
    72 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Mitoyoshi Niochounio Otsu 203-3
    This roughly one-kilometer long beach is also known as the Salar de Uyuni of Japan. It's been designated one of the Japan’s 100 best sunset destinations. The scenery is truly superb between 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after sunset when two conditions are satisfied: the tide and sunset coincide and there is no wind to make waves on the surface of the water.

    We plan to visit this beach to take amazing photos like other visitors however we forgot to do enough research and came here around noon. The beach is quite large and a bit windy. It s a nice beach...

  • Kinryo-no-sato Sake Museum
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    4.0
    85 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kogaira-machi Nakatadogi-gun Kagawa Prefecture 623
    Located around 10 minutes’ walk from JR Kotohira Station, the Kinryo-no-sato Sake Museum is operated by the brewers of Kinryo Sake, Kotohira’s local sake brand. The museum is directly opposite the entrance to the avenue leading up to the Kotohira-gu Shrine. Situated in a converted sake warehouse, the museum’s History Hall shows how sake was traditionally produced, using displays of authentic implements. The Culture Hall, situated in a former malthouse, presents displays about the history and culture associated with sake-brewing, and has interesting exhibits such as tokkuri (traditional earthenware sake bottles), sake cups, etc. Visitors to the Kinryo-no-sato Sake Museum can also enjoy tastings of Kinryo Sake.

    GWに金毘羅さんを訪れた際に訪問。朝、向かいのうどん屋さんで待っているときから気になっていたので参拝帰りに立ち寄りました。金陵というブランドで多くのお酒を出しています。今回は金陵の里限定の純米酒と金陵濃藍純米吟醸を購入しました。元は工場だったので、酒造りの歴史館などを見ることができます。

  • Unpenji Ropeway
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    4.0
    38 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Kanonjishi Onoharachoumarui 1974-57
    This high-speed ropeway has a capacity of 101 people and links the foot of Mt. Unpenji in Onohara Town, Kan-onji City, Kagawa Prefecture with the summit on the Tokushima Prefecture side. Nearby is Unpenji Temple, the 66th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage and the temple with the highest altitude in the Pilgrimage. Many worshipers come here as a result. It takes about seven minutes one way. From the window, you can enjoy a view of the Seto Inland Sea, the Chugoku region, and the Seto Bridge, combining amazing scenery with the thrill of a high-speed ride. In the winter, many people come to visit Snow Park Unpenji.

    If you are traveling from overseas, make sure you carry your passport when you purchase tickets for Unpenji Ropeway. Presenting your passport will give foreigners 50 % discount.

  • Jinne-in Kannon-ji temple
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    3.5
    48 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Kanonji Yahatacho 1-2-7
    This rare holy site features two temples that share a single temple gate. It is located halfway up Mt. Kotohiki in Kotohiki Park, Kannonji City, Kagawa Prefecture. Jinnein Temple is the 68th temple on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage, and Kannonji Temple is the 69th. It was established by Nissho as an adjunct to Kotohiki Hachimangu, and afterward Kukai built a complete seven-structured temple compound and made Sacred Avalokitesvara the principal image, renaming the temple to Kannonji. In the first year of the Meiji period, the split between Buddhism and Shintoism led Kotohiki Hachimangu to be split into Kotohiki Shrine and Jinnein. Jinnein was relocated to the Saikondo hall of Kannon-ji Temple, situating both on the same grounds. The garden on the slope of the mountain is known as a famous rhododendron spot. There’s also a treasure room that contains many of Jinnein’s precious items and other sights worth seeing.

    If you are doing the henro pilgrimage, then you get the bonus of two temple side by side without any travel in between. Typical temples, calm, serene, and with the occasional pilgrim dressed in white...

  • Iyadaniji Temple
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    4.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Mitoyo-shi Minocho Omi-Otsu 70
    A flight of 540 steps lead to the mountain top main temple of Iyadaniji Temple. It's one of the top three sacred spots in Japan according to some rankings and the 71st temple on 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Known for its difficult access, worshiping there is thought to help ward off illness. These days a shuttle bus is available for those who don't want to make the climb.

    四国霊場第71番札所、弥谷寺と書いて「いやだにじ」と称する。素晴らしい寺院ですね。派手さは無いが、如何にも厳粛で、修行の場と云う雰囲気漂う山岳寺院です。88か寺霊場の中でも印象深い寺院、寺全体が岩にめりこんでいるような景観の寺院。下の駐車場は無料だが、石段を540段も上がらないと本堂に行き着かない、途中にある駐車場は有料だが、本堂までは石段が278段、さて、どちらを選ぶかは体力とお遍路さんの考え方...

  • Konzoji Temple
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    3.5
    33 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Zentsujishi Konzoujichou 1160
    "Known to locals as ""Okaruten-san,"" since ancient times people have come to pray at this Buddhist temple for luck in conceiving children, easy childbirth, and the protection of children and women. The temple is dedicated to the Buddhist deity Hariti, also known as Kishimojin. Prior to praying at the temple, worshippers purify themselves with pomegranate scented incense. This incense serves as a symbol of the temple; its fragrance is also highly relaxing, and the incense makes a great gift or souvenir."

    まぁ、この程度の寺院でした。仁王門以外は約10回も遍路で来ているのに・・・何の印象も残っていない。それにしても、この寺院以上に「変な」のがこのサイトの検索方法。この寺院の口コミページは「金倉寺」と入れるとすぐに登場するが、これらの寺院の王様格の善通寺はいくら正確に善通寺と入れても絶対に登場しない。てっきり、今まで口コミも1件もなくて新規で施設報告が必要なのか?とも思った。何故、総本山などと冠しない...

  • Motoyamaji Temple
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    4.0
    26 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Mitoyoshi Toyonakachoumotoyama Kou 1445
    This is a Koyasan Shingon school temple in Toyonaka-cho in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture and is 70th temple of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. It was built in 807 by Kobo Daishi at the behest of Emperor Heizei. It is legend that the main hall was built in one night. The principal object of worship is the Hayagriva which is said to have been made by Daishi. The current main hall was reconstructed in 1300 with a tiled hip roof and is designated as a national treasure. There are many things to see in the grounds including a five-storied pagoda, a guardian god hall and a hall with an enshrined statue of Kobo Daishi. It is famous for its Cucumber Blessing held every year in July on the day of the ox.

    遍路も10周目(うち1回は逆打ち)となり、各遍路寺も余程印象が薄い寺院以外は殆どが名称聞けば、境内の様子から縁起まで思い起こされる程度に、知識は蓄積されて来ました。ここは何度遍路しても印象は変わることなく「素晴らしい」寺院でした。かつては四国の無法者、長曾我部元親の為に大変な被害を被った寺院です。ここだけでなく、四国全土が悠久の文化財をこのたった一人の不届き者の為に殆ど焼失させられたのですが、この...

  • Roadside Station Takarada no sato Saita
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    4.0
    23 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kagawa Pref. Mitoyoshi Saitachousaitakami 1110-8
    Roadside Station Takarada no sato Saita has accommodation, a hot spring facility, a shop, and a park golf course. Its shop is packed with fresh regional produce and it hosts regular events when it fills with tourists. In 2015 it was selected as one of the 38 important roadside stations by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

    香川県境の財田町、道路沿いにあった道の駅に立ち寄ります。 残念ながら売店部分はお休み、それ以外のうどん屋さんなどは営業。 何よりも驚いたのが敷地の広さ、施設の中には温泉や宿泊施設のほかにうどん打ちの体験ができる施設などいろいろそろっています。ゆっくり楽しめていいですね。

  • Koyama-ji Temple
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    3.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Zentsujishi Hirotachou 1765-1
    The Koyama-ji Temple is the 74th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, when Kobo Daishi was looking for a suitable site for a temple, an old man appeared to him and told him to build the temple at the spot where he was currently standing. Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Bishamonten (one of the Four Heavenly Kings) and placed it in a cave to be worshipped. Subsequently, an order was received from the court to repair the Manno-ike, the largest irrigation reservoir in Shikoku. Kobo Daishi went to the cave and prayed that the repair work could be completed successfully; large numbers of people who revered Kobo Daishi came together to undertake the work, which was finished without any problems. Tradition has it that part of the reward paid by the court for the successful completion of the repair work was used to build the Koyama-ji Temple. The original statue of Bishamonten still survives, situated in a cave at the rear of the Temple’s Daishi Hall.

    10回も遍路した寺院なのに、依然として印象としては残っていない寺院。1200年もの縁起があるらしいが、88もの霊場を遍路していると余程の寺院でないと記憶には残りづらい。但し、この寺院の往復、いずれかは忘れたが、途中にあった満濃池は記憶に新しい。四国でも有数の溜池と認識している。空海の治水工事で水害が治まったと伝えられている。溜池としては大きさは四国で一番とか・・・。

  • Mandaraji Temple
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    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Zentsujishi Yoshiwarachou 1380-1
    This temple in Zentsuji City belongs to the Zentsuji sect of Shingon Buddhism. It is the 72nd temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. Its origins are old, established in 596 as the family temple for the Saeki clan—a powerful clan in Sanuki region. Then, after Kobo Daishi returned from Tang (China), he paid homage to the Dainichi-Nyorai here, and set up the Diamond World and Womb Realm World mandalas, renaming it “Mandala Temple.” The grounds had nurtured an “undying pine” called “Kasamatsu” —thought to have been 1200 years old—but it was cut down due to insect damage. An image of Daishi was later carved into its trunk, and is lovingly called “Kasamatsu Daishi.”

    最近は昔と違って、あらゆることに対して許容とか寛容とか云うことが出来ない世の中になっているらしい。かと云って、世の中が正義で満ち溢れているのか、と云うと全く逆で世の中はむしろ悪意に満ち溢れているのが現在。若干の清濁を合わせ飲む「余裕」が今ほどほしい時代はないんじゃないか?と思う。ここの遍路については以前も述べたが、何故、面倒なバスに乗ったり降りたりしながら廻らなければいけないのか?不合理。バス遍路...

  • Doryu-ji Temple
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    3.5
    26 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Nakatadoguntadotsuchou Kitagamo 1-3-30
    The Doryu-ji Temple is the 77th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, the Temple was founded when Wakino Michikata, the local ruler, carved a statue of the Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) from a large mulberry tree and built a temple to install it in. There is a mystical legend associated with this mulberry Buddha statue. Curious about a strange light that the mulberry tree was emitting every night, Wakino Michikata shot an arrow at the tree, and killed his old nurse by mistake. Overcome with grief, Wakino Michikata carved a Buddha statue from the tree to pray to, and his nurse subsequently came back to life.

    住所は善通寺市から多度津町に変わりますが、こちらも街中のお寺さんです。立派な仁王門を始め多宝塔など建造物は目をひきます。とはいえ、なかなか八十八カ所それぞれのお寺さんの特長の記憶を定着させることの難しい事といったら。。。道隆寺と聞いて、後日でも一番記憶を呼び出しやすい印象的なものといったら、境内に都合200体以上が並んでいる観音像ということになるでしょうか。

  • Roadside Station Fureai Park Mino
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    4.0
    18 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kagawa Pref. Mitoyo-shi Minocho Omi-Otsu 74
    This roadside station is packed with facilities like a local specialty products hall, an indoor swimming pool, and a natural hot spring bathhouse that provides accommodation. A mask of a mythical shishi lion greets you at the entrance of their shop. Its popular, original boysenberry soft serve ice cream is made with local Mitoyo grown fruit. It has all kinds of Kagawa specialty items like manju buns, Sanuki udon, and honetsuki-dori roasted bone-in chicken.

    道の駅は通常、国道沿いなど交通量の多い道路際にあるのが普通ですが、この道の駅は山の中にあります。 四国88箇所71番礼所・弥谷寺の前、この寺をまわるのに駐車場にもなります。 弥谷寺は山登りのしんどい寺なので、この道の駅は一息入れるのもいいところです。

  • Shushakaji Temple
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    3.5
    25 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Zentsujishi Yoshiwarachou 1091
    Located around 10 minutes’ drive from JR Zentsu-ji Station, the Shushaka-ji Temple is associated with legends about Kobo Daishi. It is the 73rd temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, when Kobo Daishi was seven years old he jumped off a cliff, and was rescued by a celestial maiden; the Shashingadake-zenjo Inner Temple was built in gratitude for this event. The Inner Temple is situated around 50 minutes’ walk from the main hall, but it can also be reached by car; on the way, visitors pass by a grove of Japanese cypress trees that have been designated for special preservation by Kagawa Prefecture, the Yosano Akiko and Hiroshi Garden, and Yanagai-no-mizu. From the Inner Temple, there are superb views of the Sanuki Plain and the Seto Inland Sea.

    縁起が余りにも現実離れしていて、幼稚園の園児が聞いても「あり得ない」と思うようなものについては、単なる「日本昔話」ですよ、と云って余り事大げさに言わない、伝えない方がいいと思う。空想上の人ならかまわないが、空海さんは実在の方だけに少々の誇張は仕方ないとしてもこの寺院に纏わる昔話だけは到底、信じられない。信仰云々以前の問題であり、聞いても笑えるだけ、空海さんの教えや思想を折角、信奉している者(私もそ...

  • Komatsuozan Fudokoin Daiko-ji Temple
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    4.0
    19 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Mitoyoshi Yamamotochoutsuji 4209
    The Komatsuozan Fudokoin Daiko-ji Temple is a temple belonging to the Zentsu-ji school of Shingon Buddhism, located in the Yamamoto Town of Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture; it is the 67th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The Daiko-ji Temple was originally founded as a branch temple of the Todai-ji Temple in Nara, but was subsequently reestablished by Kobo Daishi. At one point in its history the temple changed its adherence to the Tendai school of Buddhism, under the influence of the monk Saicho (the founder of Tendai Buddhism); as a result, the temple precincts now house both the Shingon Buddhist Kobo Daishi Hall and the Tendai Buddhist Tendai Daishi Hall. The statue of Kongo Rikishi (a Buddhist guardian deity), which according to tradition was carved by the master sculptor Unkei, is believed to be the largest statue of its kind in any temple in Shikoku. Also worth seeing are the Shichinichi Tomyo votive candles, which are believed to help worshippers protect themselves from illness, ensure smooth childbirth, and increase the likelihood of having a happy marriage, etc., and the huge Japanese Torreya trees and Camphor trees, which are said to have been planted by Kobo Daishi.

    四国霊場巡りで初めて行きました。駐車場に車を停め、仁王門から石段を上ると、正面に本堂があり、すぐ隣でこちらを見るようなところに納経所もありました。左手に大師堂がありました。トイレを利用しましたが、すごくきれいでした。

  • Kotohira Kaiyo Hakubutsukan (Maritime Science Museum)
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    3.5
    21 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    953 Kotohira-machi Nakatadi-gun Kagawa Prefecture
    The Kotohira Kaiyo Hakubutsukan maritime science museum is located immediately adjacent to the Kanamaru-za theater, Japan’s oldest Kabuki theater, where Konpira Kabuki performances are held; the theater is situated on the pathway leading up the famous Konpira-san shrine, dedicated to the god of the sea. The museum has a sound theatre, models that recreate an Edo-period harbor, a ship maneuvering simulator that allows visitors to experience steering a ship, etc., along with a wide range of materials relating to nature (with a focus on the sea), ships and maritime affairs.

    海上交通の神様であるこんぴらさんにちなんだ施設だ。ほかけ船や千石船などのほか江戸時代の船や施設、さらには現代の船、瀬戸大橋の建設、南極船などの様子が展示されている。

  • Former Zentsuji Kaikosha
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    4.5
    16 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagawa Pref. Zentsujishi Bunkyouchou 2-1-1
    Former Zentsuji Kaikosha is an important cultural property. Established in 1896 in Zentsuji-cho, it was built by the Japanese army's Eleventh Division, a group dedicated to officer camaraderie and academic research. These buildings were once found nationwide, but today there are very few left. You can explore it from 10 am to 4 pm. The banquet hall is available for reservation too.

    明治36年に、第十一師団・陸軍将校のための親睦の場として完成した建物が、見事に復元・保存されています。

  • Kitano Udon
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    3.5
    16 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kagawa Kanonji Ariakecho 3-36
    "The museum, named after the world's largest coin-shaped sand painting ""Kan'ei Tsuho,"" exhibits approximately 2,000 coins from 125 countries, including coins from various countries and old coins, and provides visitors with an easy-to-understand illustrated explanation of the history and importance of money. For the same admission fee, visitors can also visit the ""Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Museum"" on the second floor."

    大平正芳記念館とセット料金でしたが、見たのはこちらだけ。世界の貨幣の展示施設は全国にありますが、ここはな種類が豊富でじっくり見て回ると半日くらいはかかってしまいそうでした。コインに穴の空いているのは珍しいと聞いたことがあるので、それらの展示品には矢印やちょっとした説明文があるといいなと思いました。

  • Homotsukan
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    3.5
    15 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    892-1 Kotohiracho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
    Homotsukan was built in 1905 following the design of Masamichi Kuru, an engineer of the Ministry of Education. It is a dignified two-story building that blends Japanese and Western elements. Made of granite quarried in Kagawa Prefecture, its gabled roof has Aoki stone tiles, and the entrance features a copper roofed Chinese cusped gable. Precious items from Kotohira-gu Shrine are on display. Two particularly well-known pieces are an eleven-faced standing image of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, and a collection of Portraits of Thirty-six Master Poets. The Kannon statue is an Important Cultural Property.

    400段石段を登ったところにあります。友達が素晴らしかったというので、帰りに寄ろうと思っていたら、臨時休業中で見られず残念。入館料は800円。建物は1905年に建てられた石造の2階建てで国の登録有形文化財に指定されています。狩野探幽などが描いた三十六歌仙額、かつて旭社の本尊であった十一面観音立像などを見ることができるそうです。

Kagawa Areas

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Japan’s smallest prefecture, Kagawa, may take up just a small corner of Shikoku, but it has grown increasingly popular with the recognition of Naoshima, its "art island" in the Seto Inland Sea between Shikoku and Honshu. Just a stone’s throw from the islands, mainland Kagawa’s prefectural capital, Takamatsu, holds history in its castle ruins and its pride and joy, Ritsurin Garden, is known as one of the country’s best gardens.

Kagawa Photo Album

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