At Hiraga Gennai’s former residence in Shido, a herb garden is home to more than 100 plant species. Gennai Street leads to Shidoji and forms a historically shaped temple town. Together, these places make up a cultural focal point for Sanuki: the garden centers on plants and their connection to Gennai, while the street draws attention to named places of remembrance and the temple.

Herb Garden and Hiraga Gennai

The plants in the garden include medicinal trees and herbs described in Gennai’s work “物類品隲.” The figure of more than 100 species refers to the variety of plants, not the number of individual plants. Within this variety, the medicinal trees and herbs mentioned provide a specific connection to the work. This brings together a botanical focus and a biographical connection to Hiraga Gennai. Visitors interested in medicinal plants or in the relationship between plants and their written descriptions will find a clear thematic focus here.

The connection between the place and the work helps clarify the character of the garden. The former residence establishes the connection to Gennai; the species, along with the medicinal trees and herbs described in the work, give this connection a botanical focus. In this way, the garden combines remembrance of Gennai with a distinct focus on plants.

Gennai Street and Shidoji

Gennai Street is home to Hiraga Gennai’s former residence, the Hiraga Gennai Memorial Museum, and shops. The street leads to Shidoji and forms a historically shaped temple town. The named places associated with Gennai and the connection to Shidoji both provide orientation. The streetscape extends the view beyond the garden: here, the historical character of the temple town takes center stage, rather than botanical variety.

The term “temple town” describes the streetscape without equating it with Shidoji: Gennai Street leads to the temple, while the term refers to the historically shaped area. This makes the distinction clear: Shidoji is the destination of the street, while “temple town” describes the character of the street.

Planning Your Visit and Choosing a Focus

The herb garden is open on weekends, public holidays, and during extended holiday periods; check access before your visit. Individual shops and exhibits may change. If a particular shop or exhibition is important to your plans, check its current status separately. This way, you can take into account the garden’s visiting schedule and the possibility that individual offerings along the street may change.

A simple contrast can help you choose a focus: the herb garden centers on plant species and their connection to “物類品隲”; Gennai Street links named places of remembrance with the route to Shidoji. Those primarily interested in botanical subjects can focus on the garden. Those wishing to understand the historically shaped temple town can look to the street. Both perspectives are part of Shido’s cultural character, but they speak to different interests.

Discover more destinations: Naoshima, Kotohira, Shozu District, Furue, Takamatsu, Tonoshō, Manno, Mime

For the broader travel overview: Kagawa Prefecture.