[Kagawa, Zentsuji] Experience the Shingon Esoteric Buddhist meditation method of moon viewing at a temple associated with Kukai, a great figure in the world of Japanese Buddhism.

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• [A Customized City-Wide Experience Museum] Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture, is the birthplace of Kobo Daishi Kukai, a legendary figure in Japanese Buddhism known to all Japanese people. Born 1,250 years ago, Kukai attained enlightenment through training amid the magnificent natural beauty of his hometown, Shikoku. Even now, more than 1,200 years after his time, many worshippers from around the world visit Zentsuji City, following the pilgrimage route he left behind. The five temples associated with Kukai in Zentsuji City offer interactive content that encourages self-reflection and sharpening of the five senses, with themes of Mandala Temple (touch), Deshakka Temple (sight), Kozan Temple (hearing), Zentsuji (taste), and Konzo Temple (smell). In the city center, where the culture of "osettai," or hospitality by local residents to pilgrims, is deeply rooted, experiences are available to enjoy traditional local crafts and cuisine. Zentsuji City, where nature and faith are close at hand and where you can get a glimpse of simple, everyday life, is truly an experiential museum! Experience authentic Japan while experiencing a culture that has been cherished and nurtured since ancient times. About Kosanji Temple: Kosanji Temple was built by Kukai using the reward money he received from the Imperial Court in recognition of his achievements, on the spot where he often played as a child. The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha who relieves us from the sufferings of this world, such as illness. On either side of him are the Bodhisattva Nikko and the Bodhisattva Gekko, who illuminate people with the light of sunlight and moonlight, ensuring that Yakushi Nyorai's power never fades. The moon-shaped circle held by the Bodhisattva Gekko is decorated with a Usagi, making the temple beloved by locals as a Usagi-related temple. Within the temple grounds, statues of 16 Usagi leaping out of the moon-shaped circle watch over worshippers. Listen quietly to the sounds of nature and the voice of the priest, and listen to your inner voice. At Kozanji Temple, you can experience "Gachirinkan," a meditation technique of the Shingon sect, founded by Kukai. Sit upright on the tatami mat, regulate your breathing, and quietly visualize the full moon in your mind. Starting with a small full moon that fits in your chest, gradually expand it until it reaches the world and the universe, bringing you closer to a broad, serene mind like that of a Buddha. Listening to the sounds of the wind, the chirps of insects, and the guiding voice of the priest, while also listening to your own inner voice, will give you a refreshing feeling, as if you are freed from the distractions of daily life. The sliding screen calligraphy, which can also be viewed, was created by calligrapher and Kukai scholar Kohei Okamoto. The 36 sliding screens separating the five rooms feature the Heart Sutra, a Buddhist text, inscribed in the Hihakutai style, believed to have been brought back from China by Kukai. The flowing characters express rain, mountains, dragons, and more, and while it is calligraphy, it also has the beauty of a painting. * After viewing the sliding door calligraphy, you will be asked to participate in a meditation experience. The meditation experience lasts for 20 to 30 minutes.
• You can experience meditation at a temple built on the site where the founder, Kukai, trained.
• The head priest will carefully explain how to meditate, so even first-timers can enjoy the experience with peace of mind. Chairs will be provided for those who find it difficult to sit cross-legged on the tatami mat.
• You can view the sliding door inscriptions, which are not normally open to the public, with explanations.
• Your guide will also explain how to worship at the temple, so you can come with peace of mind.