My private clients have many requests, but one comes up over and over again. “Not too many temples or shrines,” they insist, citing repetitive experiences with churches in countries like Italy and Spain.
Now, I obviously honor the wishes of people who pay me to plan their trips to Japan. On the other hand, I do advise them that because of the diversity of both architectural styles and religious traditions in Japan, it’s not necessarily realistic to compare Japanese sacred sites to European ones on a one-to-one basis.
For travelers who plan to visit Shikoku, a key example I give is the Kotohira Shrine, an out-of-this-world place you can easily visit on a day trip from the city of Takamatsu. Here’s why you should consider adding this place to your list.
How I First Discovered Kotohira-gu
The first time I took a Kotohira day trip, I actually didn’t organize it myself. Instead, I was a guest of the JTB corporation, who invited me on a press trip to Kyushu. The funny thing is that on my itinerary, they’d listed the shrine as Konpira-san (which is its “mountain name,” a nomenclature that only Japanese people use). At any rate, I had no idea what to expect—and I was completely blown away when I got there.
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How to Organize Your Kotohira Day Trip from Takamatsu
Go early
Kotohira-gu isn’t a top tourist attraction, even among Japanese. Still, the earlier you go, the more tranquil it will be, so plan on leaving Takamatsu as soon as you can, ideally on the first train (whether you take a JR train or the Kotohira Electric Railway, aka Kotoden).
Budget walking time
Reaching Kotohira Shrine from Takamatsu, to be sure, isn’t just a matter of getting on a train and then getting off. You’ll need to climb 1,368 steps if you want to go all the way to the top! This isn’t as daunting as it sounds, of course, particularly not in the morning when it’s cool.
Enjoy an udon lunch
Like many places in Kagawa prefecture, Kotohira has plenty of restaurants serving udon, and in particular famous Sanuki udon. This is another reason to go in the morning instead of the afternoon. While these shops usually open around 10 AM, they’re almost always closed by 2 PM.
Pair it with Marugame Castle
If you take your Kotohira Shrine day trip (well, half-day trip) in the morning, you’ll have time to nest in a trip to nearby Marugame in the afternoon. These make a compelling pairing, especially when you consider that Marugame-jo is one of Japan’s 12 original castles (and also one of its most beautiful).
Consider staying overnight
As hot springs towns go, Konpira Onsen is as little-known as Kotohira-gu is among shrines. Still, if you find yourself impressed and your travel plans are flexible, a couple of nights at an onsen hotel in this area can be the perfect add-on to your city adventure in Takamatsu.
Other Amazing Day Trips from Takamatsu
Like Shikoku as a whole, Takamatsu is an incredibly underrated city—and not just because of what you find in the city center. Here are some other amazing day trips from Takamatsu:
- The castle town of Marugame, which I briefly mentioned a few sections above, is absolutely worth a half- or full-day visit.
- Mt. Shiude, Takaya-jinja shrine and Chichibu-ga-hama beach provide a three-in-one escape with stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea.
- Though it’s arguably better as an overnight destination (at least if you can afford a night at Benesse House), Naoshima island is a place that impressed me in spite of the hype built up around it.
Whether or not you go from Takamatsu to Kotohira, I also hope you’ll continue to other Shikoku destinations like Tokushima, Kochi and Matsuyama.
Other FAQ About Visiting Kotohira Shrine
Is Kotohira worth visiting?
Kotohira is definitely worth visiting, in particular for the Kotohira-gu shrine. However, you can make a day of it by sitting down for an udon lunch, or an overnight of it by staying in one of the hot springs hotels in nearby Konpira Onsen.
What to do in Kotohira?
As you might expect, the mystical Kotohira-gu shrine is by far the top thing to do in Kotohira. However, you can also enjoy delicious Sanuki udon noodles for lunch, or potentially even book an overnight stay at an onsen hotel in the adjacent village.
How many steps are there in the Kotohira Shrine?
Kotohira Shrine requires an astonishing 1,368 steps to reach. This isn’t hard, per se—I’ve seen travelers of all ages walking to the top—but you may need to go at a slower pace depending on your physical condition, as well as the weather on the day you visit.
The Bottom Line
A Kotohira Shrine day trip is an easy way to visit one of Japan’s most incredible sacred sites. Obviously, this isn’t for everyone—you’ll need to be in Takamatsu (or, at a minimum, Okayama), which is at best a secondary destination for most travelers. If you can swing this, however, then I think you’ll be amazed at just how atmospheric and interesting Kotohira-gu is, even if you consider yourself to be someone who has seen enough Japanese shrines already. Need personalized help planning the ultimate trip to Japan? Consider commissioning an custom Japan itinerary today!
