Konpira Shrine Visit and Temple Town Course

This is the royal-road course that visits Kotohira-gu, beloved as the deity of the sea, and enjoys the temple town along the approach at the same time. You get the stone-step climb, local cuisine, and retro streetscapes all in one day. Central Kotohira is compact, so it is easy to arrive by rail and get around on foot.

Course Route

9:00 Start at the approach entrance Set off from the entrance of the main approach, walking past the souvenir shops that line the stone steps. Mornings are relatively quiet, and you can begin the climb in the cool of the day.

9:40 Pass through the Great Gate Clear the first tough stretch and reach the Great Gate. Beyond it the calm atmosphere of the precinct opens up, and the air changes from the busy shopping street.

10:30 Pray at the main shrine The stone steps from the approach entrance to the main shrine number 785. Climb them all and pay your respects at the main shrine. The lookout offers a sweeping view of the Sanuki Plain to reward the climb.

12:00 Udon lunch in the temple town Descend back to the temple town. Have lunch with the famous Sanuki udon and Japanese sweets. A bowl after coming down the steps tastes especially good.

14:00 Visit the old Konpira playhouse (Kanamaruza) Tour Kanamaruza, built in 1835 and the oldest surviving playhouse in Japan. You can see up close the revolving stage, the trap cellar, and other Edo-era theater mechanisms. Hours are roughly 9:00 to 17:00, and admission is around 500 yen for adults.

15:30 Town walk and souvenir hunting Browse the long-established shops along the approach and pick out local sake or wasanbon sugar to end the day. The approach is dotted with old confectioners and craft shops.

Highlights

The stone steps to the main shrine number 785. The sense of accomplishment and the view over the Sanuki Plain are the draw. The temple town is lined with old shops and retro buildings, so the stroll itself is a pleasure. Kanamaruza is a working playhouse where kabuki is still performed, and you can inspect its construction at leisure.

Access and Tips

The approach entrance is about a ten-minute walk from JR Kotohira Station or Kotoden Kotohira Station. Stone steps continue from the approach entrance to the main shrine, so light clothing and comfortable shoes are reassuring. Shops along the approach also lend walking sticks, which help if you are unsure about the climb.

Practical Travel Notes

• The steps run 785 from the approach entrance to the main shrine, and going on to the inner shrine makes 1,368 in total. Decide whether to turn back at the main shrine or press on to the inner shrine based on your stamina and time.
• Visiting Kotohira-gu itself is free. The old Konpira playhouse (Kanamaruza) charges admission, around 500 yen for adults, and it may be closed to visitors on performance days.
• If the climb is hard, there is a section where a palanquin can be used up toward the Great Gate. Check operating status on site.
• Udon shops and souvenir stores get crowded around midday, so finishing the visit early and having lunch first is one option.
• Since this course is easy to reach by rail, it also suits travelers who want to pair udon hopping with a taste of local sake.

A Quick Tip

Beginning the climb in the cool of the morning is recommended. Going all the way to the inner shrine adds a lot of steps, so plan within a comfortable range. Kanamaruza may be closed to visitors on performance days, so checking its opening schedule before your visit is reassuring.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Visiting hours: The doors of the Main Shrine open at 7:00 and close at 17:00. The doors of Izutama Shrine, the inner shrine, are open 9:00-16:30, so if you are going as far as the inner shrine, allow plenty of time for the climb
• Goshuin seal stamps and the stamp counter: The counter at the Main Shrine is open 8:30-17:00. Items on offer include a goshuin book with cherry blossom maki-e lacquerwork (2,000 yen) and a goshuin book pouch in Konpira cloisonne (2,000 yen)
• Omote Shoin and the Treasure House: Both are open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), with an admission fee of 800 yen for general visitors, 400 yen for high school and university students and free of charge for junior high school students and younger. Omote Shoin is closed every Tuesday (the following weekday when Tuesday is a public holiday), and from April 1 of the 8th year of Reiwa the Treasure House and the Takahashi Yuichi Hall have changed to opening only on weekends, public holidays and during certain periods, so you need to check the opening calendar
• Note on the Old Konpira Grand Playhouse (Kanamaruza): Last entry is 16:30, and admission is 300 yen for junior and senior high school students and 200 yen for elementary school children. It is open all year round, but may close when a performance is being held
• Enquiries: 0877-75-2121 (Kotohira-gu Shrine, 8:30-17:00), 0877-73-3846 (Old Konpira Grand Playhouse), 0877-75-6716 (Kotohira Town Lifelong Education Division)
• Official information: the official Kotohira-gu Shrine website and the official Kotohira Town website

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and fees may change, so please check the official information before you set out.