How to Choose the 10 Best Shrines and Temples in Kagawa
A shrine and temple tour of Kagawa becomes far more rewarding when you look beyond the famous names and combine three different traditions: Shinto, Buddhism, and the Shikoku pilgrimage.
The list below is not a ranking; it is meant to help you compare the sites according to the purpose of your trip.
Here is an overview of each spot's type and the cultural highlights worth paying attention to.
| Name | Type | Highlight | Ideal trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kotohira-gu | Shrine | Konpira pilgrimage | First-time Kagawa |
| Zentsu-ji Head Temple | Temple | Birthplace of Kukai | History focus |
| Tamura-jinja | Shrine | Sanuki ichinomiya | Shrine culture |
| Iwaseo Hachiman-gu | Shrine | Takamatsu guardian | City strolling |
| Sanuki Kokubun-ji | Temple | 80th temple | Pilgrimage intro |
| Negoro-ji | Temple | Goshikidai mountain temple | Nature and worship |
| Yashima-ji | Temple | 84th temple | Yashima sightseeing |
| Yakuri-ji | Temple | Goken-zan temple | Mountaintop views |
| Shido-ji | Temple | Seaside old temple | Eastern Sanuki walk |
| Okubo-ji | Temple | Temple of completion | Pilgrimage culture |
For a First Trip to Kagawa, Choose the Iconic Shrine and Temple
If you want to experience Kagawa's most representative form of worship in one go, build your route around Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san) and Zentsu-ji Head Temple, which let you touch both Shinto faith and the faith in Kobo Daishi.
Both are in the Kotohira and Zentsuji area and lie within easy driving distance of each other, making them well suited to a first-day itinerary for experiencing Kagawa's religious culture efficiently.
If You Are Interested in the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Check the Temple Numbers
The 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku are numbered from No. 1 to No. 88, and in Kagawa the 23 temples from No. 66 to No. 88 are known as the "Dojo of Nirvana" (Nehan no Dojo).
Because Sanuki Kokubun-ji (No. 80) through Okubo-ji (No. 88), introduced in this article, fall in the final stretch of the pilgrimage, you can travel with the sense of bringing the journey to a close.
To Enjoy Natural Scenery Too, Add Some Mountain Temples
The temples in the mountainous areas of Goshikidai, Yashima, Goken-zan, and eastern Sanuki make not only their grounds but also the surrounding terrain and vegetation part of the worship experience.
Some temples sit on mountains 200 to 400 meters high, so you can enjoy your visit together with views overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and the city of Takamatsu.
Kotohira and Zentsuji: Kagawa's Leading Places of Worship
In the western Sanuki area, combining a shrine visit with temples connected to Kobo Daishi lets you feel Kagawa's religious culture in three dimensions.
Both have spacious grounds with stone steps and long approach paths, so the basic approach is to walk them calmly in comfortable shoes.
1. Kotohira-gu | The "Konpira Pilgrimage" Up 785 Stone Steps
Affectionately known as "Konpira-san," Kotohira-gu is a shrine where the very process of climbing the stone steps of the approach toward the grounds leaves a lasting impression.
It is 785 steps to the Main Shrine, and a total of 1,368 steps to the Inner Shrine (Izutama-jinja); the walk from the main approach to the Main Shrine takes roughly 30 minutes one way.
The enshrined deities are Omononushi-no-kami, known as a guardian god of the sea, and Emperor Sutoku, and the path to the Main Shrine is lined with gates, shrine buildings, and votive offerings, giving a sense of how faith and travel have long been connected in Japan.
Opening times for passage within the grounds vary by location and season, and if you have concerns about your stamina you can also consider taking a taxi to around the 500th step.
Museum facilities and exhibition rooms such as the Treasure House and the Takahashi Yuichi Hall set their own photography conditions individually, so please check the notices at the entrance before using your camera.
2. Zentsu-ji Head Temple | The Birthplace Connected to Kobo Daishi (Kukai)
Zentsu-ji Head Temple is the 75th temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku and is the head temple of the Zentsu-ji branch of Shingon Buddhism, said to be the place where Kobo Daishi (Kukai) was born in the 5th year of Hoki (774).
The atmosphere differs between the East Precinct (Garan), with its Main Hall (Kondo) and five-story pagoda, and the West Precinct (Tanjoin), centered on the Mieido, and walking the roughly 45,000-square-meter grounds reveals the breadth of the temple's roles.
Beneath the Mieido is the "Kaidan-meguri," where you feel your way along the walls through a pitch-dark corridor, an experience unique to the birthplace of Kobo Daishi that you can have by paying the admission fee.
Please refrain from taking photos inside the halls or during religious ceremonies, and if you wish for a special viewing or experience, check the official information in advance.
Shrines and Shikoku Sacred Sites Easy to Visit in Central Takamatsu
Around Takamatsu, a distinctive feature is how easily you can fit shrines that convey the history of Sanuki Province and temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage into the same itinerary.
Combined with sightseeing in the city, you can sense how local faith continues into present-day life.
3. Tamura-jinja | Experiencing the Culture of the Ichinomiya of Sanuki Province
Tamura-jinja is the ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Sanuki Province, said to have been founded in the 2nd year of Wado (709), and it is essential for understanding Kagawa's shrine culture.
Originally regarded as a shrine of water-deity worship enshrined at a spring, its grounds hold several shrine buildings, and rather than hurrying to see only the Main Hall, visiting them in order while checking the signs conveys the diversity of the deities and beliefs.
In the same Ichinomiya-cho of Takamatsu is Ichinomiya-ji, the 83rd temple, letting you feel the Japanese religious landscape in which shrines and temples stand close together.
4. Iwaseo Hachiman-gu | A Shrine Beloved as Takamatsu's Guardian and Chief Tutelary Deity
Iwaseo Hachiman-gu is said to have been founded in the 18th year of Engi (918) and has been worshipped as the guardian and chief tutelary deity of Takamatsu.
The shrine's name is said to come from enshrining a divided spirit of Kyoto's "Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu" on "Kamenoo-yama" and combining the two names, so it is intriguing that the local terrain and legend remain in the shrine's name.
Within walking distance of Ritsurin-koen-kitaguchi Station on the JR Kotoku Line, it is easy to reach from the city center; keep in mind that it is not only a tourist site but also a local place of prayer, and act quietly when rituals or prayers are being held.
5. Sanuki Kokubun-ji | The 80th Temple Where an Ancient Temple and Pilgrimage Culture Overlap
Sanuki Kokubun-ji is the 80th temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, a place where the history of an ancient provincial temple, built by the edict of Emperor Shomu in the 13th year of Tenpyo (741), overlaps with today's pilgrimage culture.
Its principal image is the Eleven-headed Thousand-armed Kannon, and worshipping at the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall while also considering the ancient national temple system that remains in the temple's name deepens your understanding.
A goshuin (temple seal) or nokyo is received as proof of worship, so the courteous flow is to pay your respects first at the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall before heading to the seal office.
Visiting Mountaintop Temples on Yashima and Goken-zan
On Yashima and Goken-zan in eastern Takamatsu are temples where scenery and faith come together.
Conditions on the mountaintops can differ from the city in weather and footing, so it is reassuring to check your clothing and means of travel in advance.
6. Yashima-ji | The 84th Temple You Visit Alongside Yashima's History
Yashima-ji is the 84th temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, with its halls standing within the historic scenery atop Yashima at about 293 meters above sea level.
Set on Yashima, also known as an old battlefield of the Genpei War, the grounds enshrine not only the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall but also Minoyama Daimyojin, beloved for its tanuki legend, letting you see a distinctly Japanese religious culture in which local faith coexists within a temple.
Even when combining your visit with the views and historic sites of Yashima, finishing your worship first before moving on to explore the surroundings makes it easier to switch gears.
7. Yakuri-ji | The 85th Temple on the Slopes of Goken-zan
Yakuri-ji is the 85th temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, a mountain temple on the slopes of Goken-zan at 375 meters above sea level.
From the foot of the mountain you can also ride the Yakuri Cable (about 4 minutes from Yakuri-tozanguchi Station to Sanjo Station), making it easier to visit even for those who have concerns about their stamina.
Beyond the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall, there are many points of interest such as the Shoten Hall enshrining Shoten (Kangiten), worshipped for prosperity in business, the Chujobo Hall, and the bell tower, showing that the object of faith is not just one thing.
Within the temple grounds, do not cross fences or no-entry signs, and walk only the approach paths that are officially indicated.
Visiting Ancient Temples Surrounded by Nature in Goshikidai and Eastern Sanuki
From Goshikidai to eastern Sanuki, temples are scattered across different environments: forests, seasides, and mountainous areas.
This is a region where, beyond a temple's history, you can imagine from the surrounding scenery why that place became a site of training and prayer.
8. Negoro-ji | The 82nd Temple Nestled in the Forest of Goshikidai
Negoro-ji is the 82nd temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, a temple of the Tendai lineage nestled on Aomine in Goshikidai.
The temple's name is said to derive from a legend that fragrance continued to rise from the stump of the sacred tree carved into the temple's Senju Kannon, giving it a story befitting a mountain temple where forest and faith intertwine.
Known also as a spot for autumn leaves, please stay on the approach path so as not to damage the moss or trees in the grounds, and take care on slippery spots during the leaf-fall season or in rain.
9. Shido-ji | The 86th Temple Remaining in a Seaside Town
Shido-ji is the 86th temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, an ancient seaside temple near Shido Bay whose mountain name is Fudaraku-san.
The scenery, where the grounds' vegetation and halls overlap, has a different charm from mountain temples, and you can also sense the history of a land connected to the sea.
Visiting after learning the "legend of the ama (female diver) retrieving the jewel," which also connects to the Noh play "Ama," lets you see the buildings and gravesites not as mere old scenery but as the stage of a story.
10. Okubo-ji | The 88th Temple That Concludes the Shikoku Pilgrimage
Okubo-ji is the 88th temple of the 88 Sacred Sites of Shikoku, a temple that symbolizes the close of the pilgrimage as the "temple of kechigan (fulfillment of a vow)."
There is a culture in which people who have completed the long pilgrimage offer their kongo-zue (pilgrim's staff) and sugegasa (sedge hat), and even first-time travelers can feel the air of accomplishment and gratitude that drifts through the grounds.
Because it lies in the mountainous area of Sanuki City, check the traffic conditions by season and weather via official guidance from the municipality or transport operators before you head out.
Worship Etiquette to Observe at Kagawa's Shrines and Temples
Shrines and temples differ in their manners, but the common basis is respect for a place of prayer.
Rather than perfectly reproducing the forms, what matters is acting quietly and giving priority to local guidance.
Pause Once at the Torii and the Temple Gate
At shrines the torii and at temples the sanmon (mountain gate) mark the entrance to the sacred precinct, so a slight bow before passing through is courteous.
Perform the Water Purification Quietly with a Small Amount of Water
When a temizuya (purification pavilion) is available, purify yourself without letting the ladle or water touch your mouth directly and without splashing water around you.
Separate the Order of Worship and Photography
In front of a worship hall or main hall, first complete your prayer, then check whether photography is allowed, taking care not to capture the faces of those praying or the contents of ema (votive tablets).
Know the Basic Actions That Differ Between Shrines and Temples
When there is a posted notice of etiquette on site, give that guidance top priority.
The general differences in worship actions can be summarized as follows.
| Situation | Shrine | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Bow at the torii | Bow at the gate |
| Approach path | Avoid the center | Proceed quietly |
| Worship | With clapping | Palms together |
| Leaving | Bow at the torii | Bow at the gate |
Access for a Kagawa Shrine and Temple Tour and How to Choose a Base
Using central Takamatsu as a base for a Kagawa shrine and temple tour lets you get around efficiently by combining trains, buses, and rental cars.
Because each area suits different means of travel, choosing transport to match your destination reduces wasted time.
Shrines and Temples Easy to Reach by Public Transport
Kotohira-gu is within walking distance of JR Kotohira Station and Kotoden Kotohira Station on the Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad (Kotoden), and at about one hour from Takamatsu by JR it is an easily accessible spot.
Iwaseo Hachiman-gu and Tamura-jinja can also be reached from central Takamatsu by train or bus, so grouping them into a public-transport-focused day makes getting around easier.
Mountaintop and Mountain Temples Where a Car Is Convenient
For temples in the mountainous areas of Goshikidai and eastern Sanuki, such as Negoro-ji and Okubo-ji, touring by rental car allows more room in your schedule than relying on infrequent buses.
For Yakuri-ji the Yakuri Cable, and for Yashima-ji the Yashima Skyway and shuttle buses, are among the ways up the mountain, so checking access in advance is reassuring.
Tips for Building a Manageable Kagawa Shrine and Temple Tour
Because Kagawa's pilgrimage temples are divided among the city, the seaside, mountaintops, and mountainous areas, it is important not to cram them into a single day based only on how close they look on a map.
On days you use public transport, center your plans on station areas and the city, and on days you visit mountain temples, allow extra room for traffic conditions and weather.
Divide by Region with Takamatsu as Your Base
Splitting your days into units such as central Takamatsu, Yashima and Goken-zan, Goshikidai, Kotohira and Zentsuji, and eastern Sanuki makes it less likely that a day ends up spent only on travel.
Do Not Make Goshuin the Sole Goal
A goshuin or nokyo is basically received after worship, and reception hours differ by temple and shrine, so follow the guidance on the day.
Summary | Savoring Kagawa's Faith Culture Region by Region
A tour of Kagawa's shrines and temples is a journey that connects different traditions: the Konpira pilgrimage at Kotohira-gu, the faith in Kobo Daishi at Zentsu-ji Head Temple, the guardian deities of Takamatsu, and the temples in the final stretch of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Rather than rushing around only the famous places, turning your attention to the differences between shrines and temples, the history of each land, and the surrounding nature conveys the meaning of worship more deeply.
Give priority to on-site notices and official information regarding photography, entry areas, and goshuin availability, and tour without forgetting respect for those who pray.
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