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日本旅行 · Trip prep

Kotohira, Shikoku — where to start?

Today's weather in Kotohira
Tue Oct 27, 16:09 Japan now
23° Average temperature
Average October high
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From the airport to Kotohira
1Bus Takamatsu Airport → Takamatsu Sta. About 45 min
Airport limousine bus
2Train Takamatsu-Chikko Sta. → Kotoden Kotohira Sta. About 60 min
Kotoden Kotohira Line
Change at Takamatsu Sta. · about 115 min total
Recommended Food in Kotohira
  1. Maachan RamenRamenRamen
  2. Kasuga SushiSushiSetouchi sushi
  3. Honetsukidori TanakayaIzakayaHonetsuki-dori
Book on AutoReserve ↗
Getting around Kotohira

MainAbout 60 min by Kotoden from Takamatsu-Chikko, or about 1 hr by JR from Takamatsu Sta.

On foot10 min walk from the station to the start of the approach

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Historic·Temples

Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san)

金刀比羅宮

A shrine to the god of the sea; 785 steps to the main shrine and 1,368 to the inner shrine.

Area
Shikoku · Kotohira
Location
Kotohira
Getting there
15 min walk from Kotoden Kotohira Sta.
Admission
Free
Hours
Main shrine: 6:00–17:00Varies by season
Closed
Open every day

As of October 2026 · Prices and hours can change, so check the official website before you go.

Travel tips · Shops on the approach lend walking sticks for free; wear comfortable shoes.
View on map ↗

More places nearby

Historic·TemplesKotohira

Kanamaruza (Old Konpira Kabuki Theater)

旧金毘羅大芝居 金丸座

Japan's oldest surviving kabuki theater, built in 1835; you can see the machinery under the stage.

5 min walk from the shrine approach
SouvenirsKotohira

Konpira shrine approach

金刀比羅宮 参道

The stone-step approach lined with souvenir, udon and sweets shops.

Kotoden Kotohira Sta.
October festivalsKotohira

Konpira Grand Festival

金刀比羅宮 例大祭

Konpira's grand festival, when a long procession in Heian-era costume descends the stone steps at night.

Kotohira-gu
Historic·TemplesMatsuyama & Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen Honkan

道後温泉本館

One of Japan's oldest hot springs; the three-story wooden bathhouse from 1894 is still in use.

5 min walk from Dogo Onsen streetcar stop
Historic·TemplesMatsuyama & Dogo Onsen

Matsuyama Castle

松山城

One of only twelve castles with an original Edo-period keep; from the hilltop you can see the city and the Seto Inland Sea.

5 min walk from Okaido streetcar stop to the ropeway
Historic·TemplesMatsuyama & Dogo Onsen

Ishite-ji Temple

石手寺

Temple No. 51 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, with a National Treasure gate and a mysterious cave passage.

15 min walk from Dogo Onsen
Scenery·NatureTakamatsu

Ritsurin Garden

栗林公園

A vast daimyo garden with about 1,000 pines and six ponds, designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

3 min walk from JR Ritsurin-koen-kitaguchi Sta.
Historic·TemplesTakamatsu

Tamamo Park (Takamatsu Castle ruins)

玉藻公園

Castle ruins famous for moats filled with seawater, where sea bream swim.

Next to Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Sta.