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Kotohira, Kagawa

Kotohira-gu

金刀比羅宮

A hillside shrine reached by 785 stone steps to the main sanctuary. Choose it for an extended uphill visit and views over the Sanuki Plain, rather than a short stop beside a station.

Visit at a glance

Estimated visit time: 100–150 minutes
From step 1 to the main shrine at step 785, ordinary worship and return downhill; excludes station travel, the inner shrine at step 1,368, museums, meals, formal prayers and queues. A round-trip planning allowance, not an official total duration. The shrine gives about one hour for the uphill section alone; pace, breaks and queues vary.
Getting there: Kagawa tourism lists about 20 minutes from JR Kotohira Station or 15 minutes from Kotoden Kotohira Station to the foot of the steps. The shrine then advises about one hour uphill from step 1 to the main shrine at step 785.
Grounds hours: Official ordinary hours: Daimon entrance gate 06:00–18:00; main shrine doors 07:00–17:00. These are different locations up the steps. Weather or local restrictions can close paths.
Office hours: Main shrine amulet counter: 08:30–17:00. Prayer services: 09:00–17:00, with reception ending at 16:30. The inner shrine and museums have separate schedules.
Admission categories: Ordinary worship is free according to Kagawa tourism. Museums, formal prayers, offerings and town parking are separate.

Open in Google Maps Official website

What to see

The 785-step approach to the main shrine
Historic buildings along the ascent
Views across the Sanuki Plain

Traditions & prayers

Traditionally associated with these prayers. Associations describe worship traditions, not guaranteed results.

Prayer source

Enshrined kami

Omononushi no Kami · Emperor Sutoku

A short history

Kotohira-gu’s founding is described through shrine tradition rather than a fixed historical date. Its account records Emperor Sutoku’s enshrinement in 1165. Known earlier as Konpira Daigongen, it became Kotohira-gu in 1868 after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. Maritime worship helped its pilgrimage tradition spread.

Before you go

The inner shrine is farther uphill at step 1,368 and is outside this visit estimate. Leave time to return before gate closure. Museum opening days changed in April 2026: check the official calendar. The shrine warns that car navigation to its name can lead onto roads closed to ordinary vehicles; use the official access instructions.

First shrine visit: etiquette & offerings →

Location

892-1 Kotohira, Nakatado District, Kagawa

34.1839, 133.8095 · Representative point in the main precinct or approach, checked on the GSI map; not a certified visitor entrance. · Location source

Sources

Details checked 2026-10-08. Check the official site for changes before visiting.

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