View from the main Shrine is marvelous! Let's fully enjoy "Konpira" which is the most popular tourist spot in Kagawa.
View from the main Shrine is marvelous! Let's fully enjoy "Konpira" which is the most popular tourist spot in Kagawa.
Kotohira-gu, known as the "Sanuki's Konpira Shrine" is a famous tourist spot representing Shikoku and is often used as shooting place of movies. The shrine is located on the mountainside of Kotohira Mountain (Zouzu Mountain) in the Midwest area of Kagawa-prefecture. During the Edo era, the Konpira worship was a longing activity for the local people and was extremely prospered.
There are much architecture designated as Important cultural property around the entrance path to the Shrine, and even today, 3 million people visit every year. Many udon shops are located around the entrance path in which you can experience making udon as well as many souvenir stores you can enjoy. There are hot springs at the foot of the mountain where you can stay overnight and spend a relaxing time.
Go up 785steps to get to the main Shrine of Kotohira-gu. Konpira worship hiking buses depart and arrive here too.
Seek the Kotohira Mountain from Kotohira Station, a station for JR and "Kotoden (Takamatsu Kotohira electric train), and walk to the entrance path. The first step of the well-known stairs of the Konpira worship which has 785steps to the main Shrine and 1,368steps to the rear Shrine starts here. Peek into the souvenir shops standing at both left and right side of the path and arrive at the torii gateway of Ichinozaka on the 113rd step. You will arrive at Ichinozaka after passing under here. The steep stairs will be continued to Daimon on the 365th step, which is the precincts of the Shrine, but the splendid Daimon with two layers of hip-and-gable roof will amaze your eyes and the view of Sanuki Plain behind your back must take away the tiredness.
In the spring season, cherry blossoms bloom beautifully around Sakurababa located between 365 and 431steps. Let's enjoy walking by seeing the poem monument in which the poem was read by the haiku poet, Issa Kobayashi, and the bronze statue of "Konpira dog" that came to warship instead of the owner, or by worshiping at Haraedo-yashiro or Honoikaduchi-no-yashiro which are both on the 595th step. After passing under the Kenkimon on the 642th step and finish going up the steep stairs at Gozenyodanzaka between 652nd step and 785th step, you will finally arrive at the main Shrine.
Although the long staircases are one of the best parts of Konpira worship, worship hiking bus "Shiawase-go(=Peace line)" runs every 1 hour (a total of 11buses departing and leaving everyday) from the foot of the mountain to the main Shrine (May reserve from one person. 510yen one way. Can charter from more than 5people.) Even if the family has small children or elderly, people of all ages can warship at the main Shrine with no problem because there is no need to climb the long stairs.
May be able to have a distant view of the Sanuki-fuji and Seto-Ohashi from the main Shrine!
Many things to see around the entrance path as well
Kotohiragu is known for the "god of sea" but not only has it said to make voyage safe and get a good catch, it has also been believed to bring luck for rich harvest, prosperous business, ill recovery and so on. After worshipping with two bows, two claps and one bow, it is recommended to get a yellow good luck charm for peace at the Fuda-juyosho. There is an observatory in the main Shrine where incredible scenery of 251m above sea level can be viewed. If the weather is good, you can have a distant view of Sanuki-fuji and Seto-Ohashi. If you have spare time, be sure to go a bit further to the rear Shrine located at the 1,368th step.
When returning, going to the "Asahisha", a shrine designated as Important cultural property which is elaborately designed as Edo era, or the "drawing room" where you can enjoy seeing wall paintings by Okyo Maruyama, a well-known artist and ancestor of Maruyama school during the Edo era, or the "Teasure museum" where the Eleven-headed Kannon is displayed inside the building built in 1905 that is blended with Japanese and Western style, or "Yuichi Takahashi museum" in which oil paintings by Yuichi Takahashi, who cleared the path for Japan's modern Western art are displayed, or the cafe&restaurant "Kamitsubaki" owned by "Shiseido Parlor" which was founded about 100years ago are all recommended.
Every year on May 5th, July 7th and in the end of December, a traditional event in which Mariashi(players of Komari or "Shinto priests") with Heian costumes dedicating Kemari in an elegant style can be seen.
Konpira is the hometown of udon shops. Please experience creating udon and relax your body with hot springs.
In addition, Konpira is said to be the "hometown of udon shops", and many famous shops such as "Toraya", which is inside the long-established building "Toraya ryokan", founded about 400years ago are located around the entrance path of the Shrine and at the foot of the mountain. Udon making (1500yen per person, reservation required for more than 2 people) is popular at "Nakano Udon School" owned by Nakanoya, a company established about 100years ago which runs udon shops. You will gain a precious memory by experiencing with friends, couples, and families.
After enjoying sightseeing the whole day, relax yourself by going to the hot springs at the Kompira hot springs area. Of course, we recommend you to stay overnight as well.