The 75th stage of Pilgrimage, Zentsuji
TEL : 0877-62-0111Address : 3-1 Chome3 Zentsujicho, Zentsuji, KagawaAccess : “JR Zentsu-ji station” > 20 minutes walkParking : There is a parking lotRoom : 70 guest room ,max 200 people
Shukubo (temple stay)
This is the head temple of the Zentsuji school of the Shingon sect. This is where Priest Kukai, Kobo-Daishi was born. There is a Houmotsu-kan (a treasure hall), where a lot of the temple’s treasures are displayed, as well as a Kaidan (pitch dark road) tour.
The three-story brand new building is the shukubo . Going up to the third floor via the elevator, I had a ten tatami mat room all to myself. There is no TV set, refrigerator, or towel, but a yukata robe is provided. The restroom is shared but it was very clean. The toilet seats were the latest western style seats equipped with a bidet.
There was also a Western-style room.
Dinner & Bath
Dinner was served in the dining room on the 1st floor. The middle-aged woman working there was very kind. They served shrimp tempura, sesame tofu and devil’s tongue jelly served sashimi style, etc. I enjoyed the delicious dishes while drinking a middle size bottle beer and talking with the middle-aged women pilgrims.
The bath was a natural hot spring that can accommodate up to 45 people. Shampoo was provided. Open from 17:00 to 21:00.
Morning memorial service
From 5: 30 in the morning, 15 priests (7 of them are training priests) lined up in the Mie-do hall (Daishi-do). After the sermon, the priests chanted a sutra.
After offering prayers with the stick which is said to have been used by Priest Kukai, I proceeded to the statue of Kobo-Daishi and worshipped it with my hands joined in the front.
