Travel in Kagawa
Kotohiragu Shrine
Kotohiragu Shrine · 金刀比羅宮
Walk Kotohiragu’s approach shopping streets and climb the stone steps to worship at the main shrine. There are 785 steps to the main shrine. Leave plenty of time to climb slowly and rest along the way.
Visitor information
Admission
Check the official guide linked here for worship fees within the grounds. Admission to associated museums such as Omote Shoin, Takahashi Yuichi Gallery and the Treasure Museum, and prayer services, costs extra. If you plan museum visits too, check both admission and hours.
Opening hours
The main gate opens 06:00–18:00, and the main shrine’s sanctuary gates open 07:00–17:00. Separate hours apply to the inner shrine and other areas. There are no regular closing days, but severe weather, fallen trees or path collapse may close the inner-shrine approach without notice.
Opening hours source Opening hours source Opening hours source
What to see at Kotohiragu Shrine
From the shopping streets to the main shrine
Explore the shopping streets, then follow the stone steps to the main shrine. You can walk the streets before or after worship, so allow time for them as well as the climb and descent.
Shrine’s official hours Station-to-approach directions and steps
How to get to Kotohiragu Shrine
Walk about ten minutes from JR Kotohira Station or Kotoden Kotohira Station to the approach, then climb the stone steps to the main shrine. The official guide gives about one hour uphill from the first step; allow descent and breaks separately. Use the marked approach rather than detouring onto vehicle roads where pedestrians are prohibited.
Shrine’s official hours Station-to-approach directions and steps Walking-route precautions
Visiting tips
Climb via the marked approach
Use the marked approach to the main shrine. Do not detour onto vehicle roads where pedestrians are prohibited. If the steps are too demanding, consider walking the approach’s shopping streets instead of making the return climb to the main shrine.
Station-to-approach directions and steps Walking-route precautions
Questions about Kotohiragu Shrine
Is Kotohiragu’s main shrine ten minutes from the station?
The ten-minute estimate is the walk from the station to the approach. There are 785 steps from the first step to the main shrine; the official one-hour uphill estimate excludes descent and breaks.
Shrine’s official hours Station-to-approach directions and steps
Official sources
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