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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Zentsuji
善通寺
Half a day: visit the temple where Kūkai was born, then move on to Kotohira or Marugame. Not a base.
Zentsuji is a small city in northwestern Kagawa, known as the birthplace of Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), founder of Shingon Buddhism. The main draw is Zentsuji temple, a 9th-century complex with a 17th-century hall and a five-storey pagoda. Most travellers stop here on the way to Kotohira or Marugame; the city itself has little else to hold you overnight.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 善通寺
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ¥300–500 |
| Udon bowl | ¥500–1,000 |
| Beer (can) | ¥250–350 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi | ¥1,800–2,200 |
| Temple entry | ¥500 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TAK · Takamatsu Airport
- About 30 min by car or taxi; bus service limited (check).
Typical fares
- Zentsuji Station → temple
- 10-min walk, free
- Zentsuji → Kotohira, JR
- about ¥230, 10 min (check)
- Zentsuji → Marugame, JR
- about ¥230, 10 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walkable centre; the temple is a 10-min walk from Zentsuji Station. Taxis available at the station.
See and do
Known for
- Zentsuji temple (birthplace of Kūkai)
- Shingon Buddhism pilgrimage
- Shakadō Hall (1677)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kotohira | JR Dosan Line from Zentsuji, about 10 min | About 30 min |
| Marugame | JR Dosan Line, about 10 min | About 30 min |
| Takamatsu | JR Dosan Line, about 40 min | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Near Zentsuji station
- A few business hotels; quiet, convenient for the train.
- Marugame
- 10 min by train; more choices and nightlife.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| This one, please | これをくださいkore o kudasai |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the temple? | お寺はどこですか？otera wa doko desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Temple grounds close around 17:00; plan your visit before that.
- Limited dining options after 20:00; eat early or head to Marugame.
Very safe. The main risk is heat in summer; carry water.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Zentsuji yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Zentsuji temple (birthplace of Kūkai)
- Shingon Buddhism pilgrimage
- Shakadō Hall (1677)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Zentsuji official website: www.city.zentsuji.kagawa.jp/
- Zentsuji temple official site: zentsuji.com/english/
- Wikivoyage: Zentsuji, revision 4873753 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4873753
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Zentsuji善通寺
ここまでお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US has a consulate in Osaka; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/zentsuji). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.