What other travelers are saying about Kotohiragu Shrine, Kotohira
Temple on top of a lot of stairs. You had to walk a lot of steps but there were a few stages - each one had a certain number of steps in between each one but to go right to the top, it would've taken ALOT of steps. even to the 2nd section where you could see the holy horses were quite a walk.
to be honest - not that much to see if youre not very interested in temples. A bit too much effort going up the stairs.
The climb to the main shrine (Hongu) requires 785 stone steps from the base. If you continue to the inner shrine (Okusha) at the summit, you'll climb an additional 583 steps, making a total of 1,368 steps. The ascent to Hongu typically takes 30 to 40 minutes for visitors with moderate fitness levels, while reaching Okusha takes over an hour.
Yes, palanquin bearers are available to carry visitors up the stairs, though this service is only offered up to the 365th step, meaning you'll still need to climb the remaining distance to reach the main shrine. This traditional service provides an alternative for elderly visitors or those with mobility limitations, though it comes at an additional cost.
The shrine grounds themselves are free to enter and you can climb the steps and visit the main shrine without paying admission. However, certain areas within the complex require separate tickets: the Shoin reception hall with its famous painted screens costs around ¥800, and the treasure house museum displaying maritime artifacts costs approximately ¥500.
From Takamatsu, the journey takes about one hour by train, while from Okayama it takes approximately two hours. You'll arrive at either Kotohira Station (JR Dosan Line) or Kotoden-Kotohira Station (Kotohira Line). From either station, it's a 10-minute walk to the base of the shrine where the stone steps begin.
A beautiful historical site with a very calm and respectful atmosphere.
Climbing up is not easy, but it makes reaching the top even more meaningful.
The scenery, architecture, and silence around the area are impressive.
Definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
The shrine was built in Edo era, climb up 785 stone steps to the shrine. Nonstop climbing takes about at least 1 hour and 30 mins for round trip. (A little bit stop for praying)
Not recommend for small children and elderly.
"A historic power spot in Japan, located in Kagawa Prefecture, the shrine is known for its significance. Climbing the stairs can be tough, but at the top, you will find a sacred shrine that grants various blessings, and it is a mystical place where the deities beloved by the Japanese reside. I highly recommend it."
🎉 Congrats! You’ve made it to the main shrine after conquering 785 stairs (around 30–45 minutes of climbing). The shrine itself is impressive, and the view from the observatory deck is absolutely worth the effort.
Here you’ll find a limited selection of omamori, but there’s something unique—a dog omamori 🐶, perfect for blessing your furry friend.
But wait… looking for the special black Tengu omamori? 👺
NOT HERE! To get that, you’ll need to push on and climb another 538 stairs (about 20–30 minutes) to reach Izutama Shrine. Good luck on the next leg of your journey! 💪⛩️
