Kotohira-gu Shrine (Go-hon-gu main shrine)
Known as “Konpira-san,” Kotohira-gu Shrine is situated halfway up Mt. Kotohira (Mt. Zozu).
The shrine is said to have been there for nearly 3000 years now, according to old books such as “Tamamo-shu” published in 1677 (Enpo 5) and “Sanshu-fushi” compiled by Kikuchi Takemasa in 1745 (Enkyo 2).
In the Middle Ages, under the influence of the Honji-suijaku theory – emphasizing that Shinto deities are the manifestations of Buddhist divines – the name was changed to Konpira-Dai-Gongen. In 1165 (Eiman 1), the deified spirit of Emperor Sutoku was enshrined here.
However, in July 1868, the first year of the Meiji Era, by a decree of ordering the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism, it was restored as a Shinto shrine named “Kotohira-gu” Shrine, which is still the shrine’s present name.
The shrine enshrines the main deity, Omononushi-no-Kami, and Emperor Sutoku. Omononushi-no-Kami has three aspects: a younger brother of Amaterasu-Omikami, a son of Takehaya-Susano-no-Mikoto, and a deity of Okuninushi-no-Kami’s Nigi-mitama, the gentle and peaceful nature of Shinto deities.
As a deity bringing a wide range of divine benefits, including agriculture, industry, fisheries, voyages, medicine, and arts, Okuninushi-no-Kami is sincerely worshipped by people throughout the country.
| Facility Name | Kotohira-gu Shrine (Go-hon-gu main shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 892-1 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | +81-877-75-2121 (the office of Kotohira-gu Shrine) |
| Website | Kotohira-gu Shrine’s Official Website |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (for the visitors) It varies during year-end and New Year holidays. |
| Closed | Open all year round |
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station, 10 minutes on foot to the stone steps entrance of the shrine From Kotoden Kotohira Station, 7 minutes on foot to the stone steps entrance of the shrine |
Time Required:
From the stone steps entrance,
about 1.5 hours to Go-hon-gu main shrine (to the 785th step) for a round-trip
about 3 hours to Oku-sya inner shrine (to the 1368th step) for a round-trip
Travel Time: about 1 minute on foot from the stone steps entrance
Let’s experience making udon noodles.
Enjoy learning how to make udon noodles.
Kotohira Town is proud of the ancient warm and welcoming atmosphere it inherited from Kotohira-gu Shrine.
This Udon School, Nakano-ya Kotohira, faces the main road (Omote-sando) approaching Kotohira-gu Shrine, making it very convenient to visit.
Nakano Udon School’s fun instructors teach you the secrets of making Sanuki Udon Noodles, it only takes about 50 minutes to master the craft!
The udon noodles you eat on the spot are exceptionally delicious.
Yome-iri Oiri soft-serve ice cream is also a popular item of our origin.
| Facility Name | Nakano Udon School Kotohira |
|---|---|
| Address | 796 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | TEL: +81-877-75-0001 |
| Website | Nakano Udon School’s Official Website |
| Price | 1,760 yen for both adults and children |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Udon school), 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (Shop) |
| Closed | Open all year round |
| Parking (Capacity) | 10 buses, 30 cars *Parking rates: 1,000 yen for a bus, 500 yen for a car |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station: 10 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station: 7 minutes on foot |
Time Required:
about 40 to 50 minutes (experiencing only)
about 90 minutes (experiencing, eating, and shopping)
Travel Time: 4 minutes on foot
The exterior of the former Konpira Grand Theatre
The interior of the former Konpira Grand Theatre
The Former Konpira Grand Theatre is Japan’s oldest existing shibai-goya theatre, built in 1835 (Tenpo 6).
Konpira Worship became popular on a national level during the 18th century, with theater performances (Kabuki etc.) being held at temporary playhouses that were set up at three annual special markets.
In 1970 (Showa 45), the site was designated as a National Important Cultural Property and named “Former Konpira Grand Theatre”. Later, it was relocated to the present location and restored, with construction works lasting four years, starting in 1972 (Showa 47).
In 1985 (Showa 60), the “Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Grand Performance” was held at the theater and has since become one of Shikoku’s major annual spring events, attracting many visitors.
| Facility Name | Former Konpira Grand Theatre (Kanamaruza) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1241 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | TEL: +81-877-75-6716 (The board of education of Kotohira Town) |
| Website | Former Konpira Grand Theatre (Kanamaruza) |
| Price | Adults: 500 yen, Junior high and High school students: 300 yen, Elementary school students: 200 yen (other discounts available) |
| Accepted means of payment | Cash only |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Closed | Temporarily closed when events are held. |
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station: 15 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station: 12 minutes on foot |
Time Required: half to 1 hour
Travel Time: 6 minutes on foot
View from the observatory
You can enjoy overlooking the Kotohira-gu Shrine, the magnificent Sanuki Plain, and Mt. Sanuki Fuji from the observatory at the mountaintop of Kotohira Park.
| Facility Name | Kotohira Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 977-2 Kotohira-cho Kawanishi, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | +81-877-75-6710 (Kotohira Town Tourism, Commerce, and Industry Department) |
| Price | Free of charge |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | Open all year round |
| Closed | Open all year round |
| Parking (Capacity) | 14 vehicles |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station, 21 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station, 20 minutes on foot |
Time Required: 15 minutes
Travel Time: 13 minutes on foot
Kinryo-no-sato (Sake Museum)
The roots of the Kinryo-no-sato Sake Museum can be found in Kinryo, an old sake brewery founded in 1789 (Kansei 1). Of the brewery’s three warehouses, the second building facing the Omote-sando (the main road approaching Kotohira-gu Shrine) was renovated into a white-walled sake museum with an authentic atmosphere of the time of its founding.
Visitors can enjoy seeing in detail how the former manufacturing facility worked and indulge in conversations about sake.
We hope that this museum will make for new encounters with Japanese culture and sake, and enable you to relax and enjoy your day!
| Facility Name | Kinryo-no-sato (Sake Museum) |
|---|---|
| Address | 623 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | TEL: +81-877-73-4133 / FAX: +81-877-75-2846 |
| Website | Kinryo-no-sato Sake Museum’s Official Website |
| Price | Free of charge |
| Accepted means of payment | At the shop: Cash, Credit Card, Prepaid Transportation Cards, or QR mobile payment |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | Shop: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (weekdays), 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays) Museum: Please enter the museum at least 30 minutes before the shop closes. |
| Closed | Open all year round |
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station: 8 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station: 6 minutes on foot |
Time Required: 15 to 20 minutes
Travel Time: 1 minute on foot
Shikishimakan’s Foot Spa
Kotohira Onsen Onyado Shikishimakan offers a foot spa facility facing the main road (Omote-sando) approaching the Kotohira-gu Shrine.
It is the perfect place to relax and refresh your tired feet while enjoying the view on the bustling main street.
| Facility Name | Kotohira Onsen Onyado Shikishimakan’s Foot Spa |
|---|---|
| Address | 713-1 Kotohira-cho Kawanishi, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | TEL: +81-877-58-8005 (Kotohira Onsen Onyado Shikishimakan) |
| Website | Kotohira Onsen Onyado Shikishimakan’s Official Website |
| Price | Free of charge |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Closed | It may be closed depending on the weather. |
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station: 8 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station: 6 minutes on foot |
Time Required: 10 minutes
Travel Time: 0 minute on foot
Omote-sando approach
The Omote-sando (main road approaching the Kotohira-gu Shrine) approach fully gives off the vibe of a monzen-machi (a town built close to the gate of an important shrine or temple), crowded with many visitors, with souvenir shops and restaurants lining up.
| Facility Name | Omote-sando Walk |
|---|---|
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station: 8 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station: 6 minutes on foot |
Time Required: 40 minutes
Travel Time: 4 minutes on foot
Sayabashi Bridge
As the entire appearance resembles a “saya” or sheath of a Japanese sword, the bridge spanning the Kanakura River with a Kara-hafu-zukuri style copper roof is called Sayabashi. It is also called Ukihashi, or floating bridge, because it has no bridge girder.
Today, the bridge is used only for the Kotohira-gu Shrine’s ceremonies.
| Facility Name | Sayabashi Bridge |
|---|---|
| Address | Kotohira-cho Awa-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | +81-877-75-2121 (the office of Kotohira-gu Shrine) |
| Website | Kotohira-gu Shrine’s Official Website |
| Price | Free of charge |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Hours | None |
| Closed | None |
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station, 12 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station, 10 minutes on foot |
Time Required: 5 minutes
Travel Time: 10 minutes on foot
Takatoro (High Lantern)
After six years of construction work by the people of the eastern Sanuki Province, the Takatoro (High Lantern) was completed in 1860.
It was built to be a mark for ships sailing in the Seto Inland Sea and designed in such a way, that the light emitted from the 27-meter high Takatoro was able to reach the vessels off the coast of Marugame.
| Facility Name | Takatoro (High Lantern) |
|---|---|
| Address | 361 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa |
| Phone Number | +81-877-75-2121 (the office of Kotohira-gu Shrine) |
| Price | Free of charge |
| Business day | Open all year round |
| Parking (Capacity) | No parking space |
| Time required from the nearest station | From JR Kotohira Station, 3 minutes on foot From Kotoden Kotohira Station, 1 minute on foot |
Time Required: 5 minutes