Zenigata Sunae Kagawa Prefecture Shikoku

Zenigata Sunae, Kagawa Prefecture 銭形砂絵

Zenigata Sunae is an Edo Period sand sculpture in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku. Best seen from the viewing platform on the pine-covered, 60 m tall Kotohiki Hill, Zenigata Sunae is built in the shape of a traditional Japanese coin. From Kotohiki Hill, the sculpture is framed by pine trees and includes the sandy beach and ocean beyond the sculpture.

Zenigata Sunae sand sculpture

The sand sculpture is 90 meters north to south,  120 meters west to east and 345 meters in circumference.

History

It was built in 1633 in honor of a visit by Ikoma Takatoshi (1611-1659), the daimyo (feudal lord) of Sanuki (Takamatsu) and the man who began the construction of the beautiful Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu city on Shikoku. The sand sculpture is repaired twice a year in the spring and autumn. Zenigata Sunae is illuminated over the New Year holidays. Local folklore has it that anyone who views the sculpture will lead a life without financial worry. Hence the number of visitors who make an effort to see it. The sculpture can be seen along with the island of Ibukijima in the Inland Sea. Ibukijima is located between the main island of Honshu and Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands in Japan.

Access - Getting There

The nearest station is Kan-Onji Station on the Yosan Line from which the sand sculpture is a 30 minute walk north west to Kotohiki Park (琴弾公園). From Takamatsu Station in Takamatsu to Kan-Onji Station takes around 45-50 minutes and costs 1,090 yen on an express train. From JR Sakaide Station to Kan-Onji Station (観音寺駅) takes 30 minutes and costs 760 yen on an express. A taxi from Kan-Onji Station is about 5 minutes (2 km). There are only 4 buses a day that pass Kotohiki Park from Kan-Onji Station. From Okayama Station to JR Sakaide Station is 40 minutes direct on the Marine Liner (1,630 yen). Okayama connects to the big cities on the Pacific Coast on the shinkansen. View from the viewing platform