Kotohira is a town in Kagawa Prefecture and
an
area of spiritual significance to the Shikoku Region, with
lofty Kotohira-gu Shrine notable for its challenging
ascent
and accompanying bird’s-eye view.
Kotohira is a small town in the center of Kagawa
Prefecture. It is famed for Kotohira-gu Shrine, also
known
as Kompira-san. This shrine sits perched halfway up
Mount Zozu, but has remained a popular pilgrimage
destination despite its rather challenging uphill
approach.
Dedicated to a Shinto god of seafaring, Kotohira-gu’s
charming ascent involves a series of stone stairs
winding
up the mountain totaling 1,368 steps from wooden gate
to
innermost hall. Perseverance of the pilgrim is rewarded
with the sight of a far-reaching panorama taking in the
town and surrounding countryside.
Additionally, Kotohira is home to the Kanamaru-za,
Japan’s oldest Kabuki playhouse. The outside of the
theater is built in the simplistic white-walled style of the
late Edo period, but the interior of the 200-year-old
building radiates a rustic charm - from the tatami mat
floors and rotating wooden stage to the patterned
lanterns
hanging high above the audience area.
Please see below for tours that
include Kotohira:
