Travel in Kagawa

Kotohira-gu

Kotohira-gu · Kotohiragu Shrine · 金刀比羅宮

At Kotohira-gu Shrine, explore the shops along the approach street before climbing the stone steps to the main shrine. There are 785 steps to the main shrine, so allow plenty of time to climb at your own pace and stop for rests.

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Visitor information

Address

香川県仲多度郡琴平町892-1

892-1, Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa-ken, JAPAN 766-8501

Location on the map

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Admission

Check the official information below for charges relating to worship in the grounds. Admission to museums such as Omote Shoin, the Takahashi Yuichi Hall and the Treasure Museum, and fees for prayers, are separate. If you plan to visit the museums, check their admission fees and opening hours too.

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Opening hours

The Great Gate opens 06:00–18:00, and the main shrine’s sanctuary gate opens 07:00–17:00. The Inner Shrine and other areas have separate hours. There are no regular closed days, but bad weather, fallen trees or path collapses may restrict the route to the Inner Shrine without notice.

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What to see at Kotohira-gu

From the shopping street to the main shrine

After exploring the shopping street, follow the stone steps up to the main shrine. Leave time to browse before or after worship as well as to climb and descend.

Shrine official hours Station-to-approach and steps information

How to get to Kotohira-gu

From JR Kotohira Station or Kotoden Kotohira Station, walk about 10 minutes to the approach street. From there, climb the stone steps to the main shrine. The official estimate is about an hour one way from the first step to the main shrine; allow additional time to descend and rest. Use the designated approach path and do not detour along the vehicle road where pedestrians are prohibited.

Shrine official hours Station-to-approach and steps information Walking-route precautions

Get directions

Before you visit

Use the designated approach path

Use the designated approach path to the main shrine. Do not detour along the vehicle road where pedestrians are prohibited. If the steps are too demanding, consider a walk along the shopping street instead of climbing to the main shrine and back.

Station-to-approach and steps information Walking-route precautions

Questions about Kotohira-gu

Is the main shrine only 10 minutes from Kotohira Station?

The roughly 10-minute walk is from the station to the approach street. From the first step, there are 785 steps to the main shrine. The official one-way estimate of about an hour excludes the descent and rests.

Shrine official hours Station-to-approach and steps information

Official sources

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