The Main Gate of the Eastern Precinct
The Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate (善通寺南大門) is a timber gate of around 1908 at the centre of the south side of the eastern precinct (Garan) of Zentsuji, facing the Main Hall, at Zentsuji-cho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 2, 2009 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a tiled timber gate 7.6 metres wide with flanking walls, registration number 37-0332.
The Eastern Precinct of Zentsuji
According to Zentsuji, its precinct of about 45,000 square metres is divided into the eastern Garan, lined with the Main Hall and Five-Storied Pagoda, and the western Tanjoin centred on the Founder's Hall. The eastern precinct is the temple's original ground, said to have been founded by Kukai in 807 after his return from China.
The temple records that the original halls burned in 1558 and were rebuilt with the support of the Ikoma and Kyogoku lords of Sanuki and others. Six structures of the eastern precinct, the Shakado Hall, bell tower, Minami-daimon and Nakamon gates, and Tenjin and Ryuo shrines, were registered on November 2, 2009 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Value as a Registered Cultural Property
The Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs praises it as a gate with the dignity fitting the main entrance of an ancient temple.
What to Look For
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a gate 7.6 metres wide with side walls turning at right angles, each pierced by a wicket door. It is a flat karamon of the Korai-mon type, with cusped gables front and back and hongawara tiles.
The Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate stands tall, with deep verges and finely designed ornamental tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
According to Zentsuji, the precinct is open all year; the Main Hall is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the stamp office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitors' car park, west of the precinct, holds up to 350 vehicles.
The Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate is at 3-622 Zentsuji-cho, Zentsuji City. Zentsuji is Temple 75 of the Shikoku pilgrimage (Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association), and its precinct is part of the Sanuki Pilgrimage Route National Historic Site (Zentsuji). The six registered structures of the eastern precinct are gathered on the group page Zentsuji Garan (Eastern Precinct), and the 19 of the western precinct on Zentsuji Tanjoin Temple.
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Q&A
- When was it built?
- Around 1908 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where does it stand?
- At the centre of the south side of the eastern precinct, facing the Main Hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type of gate is it?
- A flat karamon of the Korai-mon type with cusped gables front and back (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can visitors see it?
- Yes, the precinct is open all year (Zentsuji).
- When was the Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate registered?
- On November 2, 2009.
Basic Information
| Name | Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate (善通寺南大門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-622 Zentsuji-cho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/11/02 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, width 7.6 metres, with flanking walls |
| Owner | Zentsuji (per the Zentsuji City list) |
| Public Access | Precinct open all year; Main Hall open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
References
- Zentsuji Minami-daimon Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007932
- History (Zentsuji, in Japanese)
- https://zentsuji.com/yuisho/
- Precinct (Zentsuji, in Japanese)
- https://zentsuji.com/keidai/
- Opening Hours and Fees (Zentsuji, in Japanese)
- https://zentsuji.com/%e6%8b%9d%e8%a6%b3%e6%99%82%e9%96%93%e3%83%bb%e6%96%99%e9%87%91/
- Zentsuji Temple (Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association)
- https://www.my-kagawa.jp/point/332/
Last verified: 2026.10.12
