One of Kagawa’s Top Power Spots! A Sightseeing Guide to Kotohiragu Shrine

There are several theories about the origins of “Kotohiragu Shrine,” but it is said to have begun with “Kotohira Shrine” (estimated founding: 668–671), where Omononushi no Mikoto enshrined a temporary palace on Mt. Zozu.
From the Heian period (794–1185) onward, it became associated with the Buddhist deity Konpira through the honji suijaku theory, in which Buddhas appear in the form of Shinto gods, and was renamed “Konpira Daigongen.”
In 1165, Emperor Sutoku was also enshrined there together with the main deity.
Following the 1868 order separating Shinto and Buddhism, it returned to the name “Kotohira Shrine,” and was later renamed “Kotohiragu Shrine,” which it remains today.

The “Konpira Worship Climbing Shuttle Taxi” is a reservation-only taxi service that takes visitors to the “Omon Gate” (the 365th step), the halfway point along the approach to “Kotohiragu Shrine.”
Because it uses a special access road closed to regular vehicles, it can reach the “Omon Gate” in as little as 10 minutes.
You can board it from anywhere in Kotohira Town, and it will also drop you off at a location of your choice, not just the Omon Gate, which is another great feature.
The fare is set at 700 yen one way, so you can use it just for the uphill ride or just for the downhill ride.
As mentioned above, “Kotohiragu Shrine” is quite far from the nearest station, so this is a recommended service for those who want to sightsee efficiently, those who are not confident about climbing all 785 steps, or those traveling with small children.

The “Main Shrine” is a solemn shrine building located at an elevation of 251 meters, after climbing 785 stone steps.
It features traditional Japanese hiwadabuki cypress bark roofing and a distinctive architectural style called taisha-sekimune-zukuri, rarely seen elsewhere.
The current shrine building was reconstructed in 1878, but it is said that its origins date back to before 645.
The enshrined deities, Omononushi no Kami and Emperor Sutoku, are widely revered by the public as gods granting a broad range of blessings, including agriculture and medicine, though they are especially strongly associated with the sea.
The open plaza and the observation area on the northwest side also offer attractive views.
If the weather is clear, you can enjoy a spectacular view stretching as far as the Seto Ohashi Bridge and Sanuki Fuji.

During the Edo period (1603–1868), there was a custom in which dogs made pilgrimages on behalf of their owners.
Dogs traveling to “Kotohiragu Shrine” were called “Konpira dogs,” and they were said to wear a pouch around their necks marked “Konpira pilgrimage.”
The pouch contained things like wooden prayer tablets and offering money, and the dogs completed the pilgrimage with help from travelers and local residents along the way.
A bronze statue of the “Konpira dog,” honoring those dogs, stands at the 431st step.
The statue remains beloved today, and its historical background and adorable expression bring comfort to worshippers climbing the long staircase.
It also serves as a good spot to take a break, and many people stop to take photos of it.

Taking Approx. 40 years to complete and built in the late Edo period, “Asahisha Shrine” is an important cultural property located after climbing 628 stone steps.
There is a custom of visiting “Asahisha Shrine” on the way back, so you should head to the “Main Shrine” first.
It has an imposing double irimoya-style structure and a distinctive copper-sheet roof.
Throughout the shrine building, beautifully detailed carvings of swirling clouds, birds and animals, people, and flowers are carved into various places, and its lavish design is truly breathtaking.
At the large water basin in front of it, it is said that your wish will come true if a 1-yen coin floats, so give it a try.

Built in the early Edo period, the “Shoin” was a reception hall used for ceremonies and for hosting visitors who came to worship.
Today, the building itself is an important cultural property, and in addition to the cypress-bark-roofed Omoteshoin, there are also the Okushoin and Shiroshoin. ※Only the Omoteshoin is open to the public
Inside are valuable works of art and cultural properties.
Among the most notable are wall paintings by the artist Maruyama Okyo, the painter Murata Tanryo, and the artist Mori Kansai.
In particular, Maruyama Okyo’s fusuma paintings in the “Tiger Room,” depicting eight tigers across 16 sliding-door panels surrounding a 30-tatami grand hall, are overwhelmingly powerful.
The Okushoin also preserves wall paintings by Ito Jakuchu, a painter whose reputation has grown in recent years, and the artist Gantai.

Located at the innermost point after climbing another 583 stone steps from the “Main Shrine” (1,368 steps in total), the shrine known as the inner shrine is “Izutama Shrine.”
Its main hall has a cypress bark roof, and the whole area is wrapped in a solemn atmosphere.
It enshrines Izutama Hikono Mikoto, the founder of the Konpira faith.
You may feel the mysterious power of Izutama Hikono Mikoto, who can be described as a guardian deity of “Konpira-san.”
A purchase of the “Tengu Omamori (1,000 yen),” available only at “Izutama Shrine,” is also recommended. (It can also be purchased from the website.)
They are a little hard to spot, but the carvings of a tengu and a crow tengu on the upper left side of the cliff are also one of the highlights.
From the free binoculars installed behind the shrine, you can enjoy sweeping views of Kotohira Town.

The “Yellow Good Fortune Omamori” is one of the signature lucky charms of “Kotohiragu Shrine.”
It is made with silk thread dyed with turmeric, which has long been used for medicinal purposes and to ward off evil and misfortune, and it features a simple design with the single character for “gold” on a vivid yellow background.
Yellow carries many meanings, including “overflowing blessings and love,” “energy-filled strength,” and “the ripening of rice and wheat.”
It is also imbued with prayers and blessings for protection from illness and misfortune, as well as for health and happiness.
It costs 1,000 yen and is only available at the Main Shrine amulet office after climbing all 785 stone steps, making it feel especially meaningful along with the sense of accomplishment. (It can also be purchased from the website.)
It also serves as proof that you visited “Kotohiragu Shrine,” so be sure to pick one up.

Once you pass through the “Omon Gate” at the 365th step, five large white umbrellas come into view.
They belong to the five candy shops collectively known as the “Gonin Hyakusho,” special shops that have been permitted to do business within the sacred shrine grounds since the Kamakura period (1185–1333).
Under the umbrellas, they sell “Kamiyo Ame” (amber candy), a long-loved specialty of Kotohira Town.
Fan-shaped “Kamiyo Ame” may be simple, but it has a gentle flavor with the distinctive aroma of added yuzu oil.
Unlike ordinary candy, one of its unique features is that you break it with the small hammer included before eating it.
“Kamiyo” refers to the age of the gods, and the act of breaking and sharing the candy is said to represent sharing the shrine’s blessings not only with worshippers, but with everyone.
Buy some as a souvenir so your family and friends can share in the blessings too.

“Konpira Udon Sando Branch” is a udon restaurant with a history of more than 65 years.
Its stately exterior and interior are impressive, and the building itself, which is more than 100 years old, is designated as a registered cultural property.
Inside the spacious 100-seat dining area, tables and chairs made from zelkova and horse chestnut wood create a calm atmosphere.
Every step of the process, from flour to noodles, is done in-house, and the flavor created by that care and effort is exceptional.
The original blended broth, freshly fried tempura, and seasoned rice also bring out the deliciousness of the udon.
When you visit, order the most popular item, “shoyu udon,” with your choice of tempura on the side.

“Honetsukidori” is one of Kagawa’s signature local dishes.
One restaurant that features this traditional dish as its signature menu item is “Sanuki Specialty Honetsukidori Tanakaya.”
It is highly rated by both locals and tourists, and has become one of the go-to places to eat when visiting the shrine.
The restaurant’s honetsukidori stands out for bringing out the natural flavor of the chicken through a simple yet distinctive seasoning and high-heat grilling.
Seasoned only with salt, pepper, and garlic, the chicken has crispy skin, juicy meat, and plenty of flavorful juices.
You can choose whichever you prefer: the chewy and firm oyadori (adult chicken, better for adults and as a snack with drinks) or the plump and tender wakadori (young chicken, better for children and as a meal).
It is also recommended to order a set meal or try both separately to enjoy the difference in texture.

“Shoyumame Honpo Omotesando Branch” is a casual eatery that sells creative sweets inspired by local food culture.
It is especially popular with tourists and international visitors, and is appreciated for respecting tradition while offering new flavor experiences.
Among its menu items, the unique soft-serve ice cream that is often featured on TV and in magazines is especially famous.
The “Kamatama Soft,” topped with green onions and soy sauce, surprises customers with its udon-like taste.
Another highlight is the lineup of special flavors you are unlikely to find elsewhere, including “Wasanbon Soft,” “Gold Leaf Soft,” and “Gold Soft.”
Its photogenic appearance is also part of the appeal, and you can enjoy it in many ways through its look, taste, and texture.

Ritsurin Garden was completed nearly 300 years ago after successive lords of the Takamatsu Domain expanded and refined it as the Matsudaira family’s villa.
The flat garden area alone is a very large 16 hectares, but including the backdrop of Mt. Shiun, the total area reaches Approx. 75 hectares. Among cultural gardens designated by the Japanese government as Special Places of Scenic Beauty, it is the largest in Japan.

A symbolic landmark of Marugame with 400 years of history, this hirayamajiro hilltop castle was built over five years by the warlord Ikoma Chikamasa and his son Kazumasa.
The stone walls stacked from the inner moat to the keep rise to Approx. 60 meters, the greatest height in Japan, and are known as the “fan-shaped slope” because of their distinctive curve. The keep is also one of only 12 surviving original wooden keeps in Japan and is designated as an important cultural property.

Takamatsu Castle was the residence of the successive feudal lords of the Ikoma family for four generations and the Matsudaira family for 11 generations.
Also known as Tamamo Castle, it was built facing the Seto Inland Sea and is counted as one of Japan’s three great water castles. Today, it is open to the public as “Tamamo Park.”
The castle keep, once the largest in Shikoku, was dismantled in 1884 due to deterioration, but buildings such as Tsukimi Yagura, Mizute Gomon, Watari Yagura, and Ushitora Yagura, all designated as important cultural properties, still remain and can be viewed.