Historical Journey Through Zentsūji Temple and Marugame Castle, with a Taste of Bone-in Chicken

From Zentsūji Temple (善通寺), the head temple founded on the birthplace of the Great Teacher Kobo Daishi Kūkai, to Marugame Castle (丸亀城), one of Japan's twelve existing castle keeps—an ambitious one-day course walking through two historical stages of which Sanuki is proud. In the morning, experience the Great Teacher's pilgrimage and the kaidanmeguri at the temple grounds where the five-story pagoda stands, then buy the famous katapan at the long-established Kumakoa Confectionery (熊岡菓子店) near the gate. At lunch, sink your teeth into the bold, fragrant bone-in chicken at Ichitsuru Marugame Honten (一鶴丸亀本店), known as the birthplace of this dish. In the afternoon, savor the towering high stone walls of Marugame Castle (丸亀城), called the "stone fortress," and its castle keep, then finish with a leisurely walk through Nakatsumanshouen (中津万象園), a grand feudal garden with ties to the Kyogoku family of the Marugame domain. A day along the Sanuki roads that will satisfy the hearts of history-loving strollers.