Guide to the highlights of the Kotohiragu! Visit the shrine, get a talisman, and even find important cultural property treasures!

The "Kōtohiragu", located in the town of Kotohira, Kagawa, is the main shrine of the Kōtohira Shrine located throughout the country. Known under the name of "Konpira-san", it is known for its long approach with stone steps of as many as 785 steps to the Imperial Palace and as many as 1368 steps to the Okusha. In the precincts there are many points that can not be missed such as valuable art and specialty parfait in the shrine of important cultural property! We introduce the charm of Kotohiragu, which I want to spend time and enjoy.

Go worship at the Kotohira Shrine

Kotohiragu, rich in nature, nestled in the middle of Mount Zouzuzan. The main priest, Omononushi-no-kmait, is a god who brings peace to people without separation, and has various benefits such as health, love, and academic work. Since ancient times, it has also attracted a faith as a guardian deity of maritime traffic, and is visited by about 4 million worshippers a year.

Let's go up the stone steps while taking a detour

There are 785 stone steps to go up for the visit at the Imperial Palace. "It seems so hard!" you might think, but there are a lot of highlights on the approach. If you aim for the Imperial Palace while taking a leisurely tour, you may not mind the number of stone steps. First of all, let's go up while enjoying the atmosphere of Monzen-cho, where the souvenir shop goes along.

After going up 365 steps up the stone steps, you will arrive at the "Ōmon", the main gate of the Kotohiragu. The fine gate of the two-tiled house and tiled house is the main gate of the Kotohiragu, and from here is the sacred precinct.

As you pass through Daimon, you will be greeted by "Gonin Byakuusho", which is lined with five large white umbrellas. It is the only one of the five kenya houses in the precinct that has been recognized for business since ancient times, selling "Kamiyo candy (Kamiyo-Ame)" under an umbrella.

It is a golden earthy candy with a slightly full flavor of yuzu. It is a classic souvenir that has been visited since ancient times, and its history is said to be more than 700 years.

If you go through the cobblestone "Sakura no Baba", which runs about 150m from Daimon, you will find a square on your left. At the back, you will meet a beautiful kamma.

The square also displays the screw of a tanker with a diameter of about 6m, which is said to be one of the largest offerings of the Kotohiragu. Before the votive offering, which symbolizes being revered as the guardian god of maritime traffic, it is also recommended for a memorial shoot.

Waiting by the 431-dan "Sakura no Baba Nizume Torii" is a bronze statue of the cute "Konpira dog". It is now reported that during the Edo period, there was a custom in which a dog was taken by the traveling people in place of its owner and participated in the service, and that the dog who performed the service honorably was called "Konpira dog".

At 628 steps, "Arrival at the Imperial Palace?" "Asahi-sha", which is so fine that it can be mistaken, appears in front of you. Completed in Tenpo 8 (1837) over the course of 40 years. It is an important cultural property of the country, with beautiful and gorgeous designs from the end of the Edo period all over the place.

From here, it is a one-way street divided into up and down, so the tour and visit by the side will be the way back from the main shrine.

The last thing you'll be waiting for is "Omae Yodanzaka". The number of stone steps that are so steep that you can unintentionally flinch is 133 steps. If you go up this, it's finally the Imperial Palace!

785 steps! Visit the main palace where the scenery waits

First of all, at the observation deck, take a break in front of the exquisite view of the Sanuki Plain. The view of Kagawa-like view of "Iinoyama", which is familiar with the name of the Seto Ohashi and Sanuki Fuji, is very exhilarating.

It is believed that the shrine of the Imperial Palace was founded before the renovation of Taika (645). After a number of facelifts, it took its present form in the year 1878. Let's tour together with the sowing paintings on the wall.

Amulet of happiness at the God Tag Awards

After the visit, we will give you 1000 yen to pray for your health and happiness.♪

Go or return OK! Tour the art and treasures of the precinct

The other attraction of the Kintobi Palace is the three cultural facilities that house some of the country's leading works of art. Let's take this opportunity to appreciate the precious art that some people visit from far away.

[Treasure Hall (Homotsukan)/400 steps]

The oldest museum in western Japan. It displays more than 50 treasures of the Kotohiragu. The country-designated important cultural property, "Eleven-Headed Kannon", is a work of the Heian period and is a response.

[Yuichi Takahashi Museum/431 dan]

Yuichi Takahashi, a painter of the early Meiji era who represents modern Japan. It is a valuable spot in the whole country where you can admire 27 of its collections. In addition to still life paintings such as "Tofu", the view of Kotohira through the eyes of Yuichi is touched in "Kotohirayama Enno-zumi".

[Omoteshoin/477 dan]

You can tour the barrier paintings such as "Yūko-zu", one of the representative works of the picture artist Maruyama Okyo, who was active in Kyoto during the Edo period. The building, which was once a guest hall, and the barrier paintings of Okyo, are both nationally designated important cultural treasures.

The normally privately-held Okujaku-in holds famous paintings such as Ito Jakuchu's "Hyakka-zu". It is sometimes published at special times, so let's check it out before you go out.

■ Kotohiragu

Address: 892-1 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa
TEL:0877-75-2121 (Kotohiragu Office)
Opening hours: 6-18 hours of worship
Closed: No Closed

[Treasure Hall, Yuichi Takahashi Museum, Omoteshoin]
Time: 9 to 17 o'clock (entry is ~ 16:30)
Closed: No Closed
Entrance fee: 800 yen each

A rest at the specialty parfait "Cafe & Restaurant Kami Tsubaki"

One that cannot be removed at the Kotohiragu is the "Cafe & Restaurant Kamitsubaki" located at 500 steps. It is divided into two floors: a cafe where you can taste snacks and sweets that make full use of seasonal ingredients from Kagawa Prefecture, and a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal gracefully.

The specialty is the cafe's "Kami Tsubaki Parfait" for 1500 yen. It is gloriously colored with a variety of materials, including Kagawa's traditional confectionery "Oiri" and Kagawa's "Tuiru" using soy sauce. The Japanese-style parfait, which becomes a trico with elegant sweetness and a variety of textures, has a super taste! It is a sweet that is perfect for a reward that has gone up many stone steps, and it feels happy♪

■ Cafe & restaurant Kami Tsubaki

Address: 892-1 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa
TEL:0877-73-0202 (Reception hours 9-17)
● Cafe
Opening hours: 9-17 (16:30 LO)
Closed: Tuesday
● Restaurants
Open: 11:30-15:00 (14:00 LO)
Closed: Tuesday

What is the access to Kotohiragu and the journey time to the Imperial Palace?

It is a 10-minute walk from JR Kotohira Station and a 6-minute walk from Kotohira Station to the entrance of Omotesando at Kotohiragu. It is a 45-minute walk from the entrance of Omotesando to the Imperial Palace. Another 30 minutes walk from there is Okusha. Let's make a plan considering the time to stop at the highlights on the way.

• This article is created based on the contents of "Rurubu Information Edition" or "Rurubu & more." "Rurubu +".
• The data listed are as of March 2025. Prices, business hours, regular holidays, menus, etc. may change or may not be available due to temporary holidays. Please check in advance when using it, as the content may change.
• The holiday of stores and facilities omits the year-end holiday, Obon holiday, Golden Week, and temporary holidays in principle.
• The published fees are in principle the fee including consumption tax that we have confirmed at the time of the interview, and the entrance fee is the adult fee if there is no special mention.
• In principle, the published times are open (hall) to closed (hall). Please note that the last order or entrance (hall) time is 30 minutes to 1 hour before the normal closing (hall) time. The last order is denoted LO.
• For the spring quality and efficacy of the hot springs listed, manuscripts are prepared based on answers from each facility.