Kotohira-gu [金刀比羅宮]

Kotohira-gu is a Shinto shrine in Kotohira town located about 35 km southwest of Takamatsu city.
There is Zentsuji temple about 7 km northwest of this shrine.

"Kotohira-gu" is the formal name, but it is often affectionately called Konpira-san.

The shrine is located on the mountainside of Mount Kotohira (521 m).

In the ancient times, Kotohira Shrine was founded on this place.

In the middle ages, Konpira was enshrined in the shrine.
Konpira is one of 12 guardian gods of Buddha, then this shrine had created a fusion of Shinto and Buddhism.

Emperor Sutoku (1119-1164) visited here in 1163, so he was also enshrined in this shrine after his death.

From the 17th century, the belief of Konpira spreaded among common people throughout the country.
Therefore, visiting Konpira Shrine became one of their lifelong dreams, along with visiting Ise Shrine.

And this shrine is also the guardian of the sea.
So many fishermen and sailors visit here.

In 1868, the Buddhist temple was separated, so the name of this shrine was changed to "Kotohira-gu".

Kotohira-gu is famous for its long stone steps on the approach.

There are 785 steps from the foot to Hongu (本宮, Main shrine).
The distance is about 700 meters and the difference of the altitude is 176 meters.

First, there are many shops along the both sides of the approach with the steps.

There is Ômon gate (大門) at the 365th step.
The place is the end of the approach, and the gate is the entrance to the shrine.

Near Ômon, there is Korô (鼓楼).
It is a small tower built in 1710, and there is a drum to announce the time in the morning and evening in the tower.

By Ômon, there are five stands selling candy.
It is called Gonin-byakusho (五人百姓), and only the five shops are allowed to sell specially by the shrine.

The flat section about 150 meters long from Ômon is called Sakura-no-baba (桜馬場).
It is known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and becomes a tunnel of cherry blossoms from late March to early April.

Around the end of Sakura-baba, there is Shoin (書院).
It has four buildings, and they are the office of the shrine and the guesthouses.
The visitors can enter only "Omote-Shoin" built in 1659.

After climbing some steps, there is big Asahisha shrine (旭社) near Hongu.
It was a building of Buddhist temple built in 1837, and is gorgeous because of the beautiful carvings.
The height is about 18 meters.

But, it is the custom that the visitors worship Asahisha after worshipping Hongu.

After climbing 133 steps, visitors reach Hongu finally.
Hongu was rebuilt in 1878.

Many visitors return from Hongu, but there is Okusha (奥社) near the top of the mountain.

When you visit Okusha, you must walk up 583 more steps from here. (1,368 steps from the foot).
The distance is about 800 meters and the difference of the altitude is 185 meters from Hongu.

There are a few historical buildings around the shrine.

At the entrance of the approach, there is Sayabashi bridge (鞘橋) across Kanakura River flowing through Kotohira town.

It is a wooden bridge with roof, and it is unknown when the original bridge was built.
The current bridge was rebuilt in 1869.

The length is 23.6 meters and the width is 4.5 meters.
It is one of the nation's registered tangible cultural properties, and is used only at the annual festival of this shrine.
The tourist can't cross the bridge.

To the south of entrance of the approach, there is Kanamaru-za theater (金丸座).

The formal name is Konpira Grand Theater (金毘羅大芝居), and the theater was completed in 1836.

It had been used as a playhouse and a movie theater until the middle of the 20th century.
It was designated as a national important cultural property.

Now, Kabuki performance by famous stars is held for 16 days in April every year.

Kotohira-gu

How to get here

By JR Dosan Line, from Takamatsu to Kotohira, about 35 minute by limited express, about 50 minutes by rapid train.
Or, from Okayama to Kotohira, about 1 hour by limited express.
Or, by Kotoden railway, from Takamatsu-Chikko, about 1 hour.

From the station to the entrance of the approach, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. (about 600 to 800 meters)

Other Tourist Attractions in Kagawa Prefecture

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