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  6. Konpira Shrine 金比羅

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Konpira Shrine 金比羅

Climb 1368 stone steps to the Inner Shrine

金刀比羅表參道

Konpira-san (also known as Kotohira-gu) is Shikoku’s most popular Shintō shrine, dedicated to sailors and seafaring - slightly surprising since it’s inland and on a mountain.

It’s on the forested slopes of Mt Zozu above Kotohira township, and to get up to the Oku-sha (Inner Shrine) involves an arduous series of 1,368 stone steps. There are plenty of interesting Shintō halls and pavilions on the way though, plus excellent views out north over Kagawa prefecture.

This is an extremely popular destination for elderly Japanese visitors, so there are stacks of hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops in Kotohira town. Very few elderly visitors make it far up the mountain or to the Oku-sha though.

It’s easy to get to Kotohira township by train from Takamatsu in about an hour.

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Konpira Shrine

Shikoku 四国

Shrines & Temples

Shikoku In-10-Days

Off the beaten track with a rental car

Text © Craig McLachlan

Image by Wei-Te Wong