Destinations

Kotohira

"Rural, traditional, off-the-beaten-track; Kotohira ticks all the right boxes! Stay a couple of nights here and couple your visit with an excursion to the beautiful Iya Valley."

Harry Sargant - Tailored Department Manager

The small town of Kotohira is home to Kompira-san (Kotohira-gu), one of Shikoku’s top attractions and one of the main temples of the 88 temple pilgrimage route. The shrine was founded in the Muromachi period (14th century) and at this time pilgrimages to the shrine became fashionable.

Kompira-san enshrines the deities who protect sea-farers and at the same time it is thought that people with ill health will also benefit from visiting the shrine. That is if they can climb the 1,368 steps which form the entrance!

Halfway up to the inner sanctuary you will find the Daimon gate which will gain you access to the main sanctuary and Asahi no Yashiro shrines. You will also find the commanding image of the 11 faced kannon (goddess of mercy) and many other treasures of the shrine. Continuing up the steps to the shrine you will be met with stunning views out over the Sanuki plain.

Kotohira town is a pleasant place to take a stroll and as well as the ubiquitous souvenir shops the town has some other nice attractions. If after all that walking you feel a tot of something a little stronger than water is in order, then we suggest you pop into the Kinryo sake brewery where a taster cup will set you back just a 100JPY. If it is more culture you are after then Kanamaru-za, Japan’s oldest kabuki theatre, is worth a stop.

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