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Town in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
Photo: (WT-en) Jpatokal at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kotohira (琴平) is a one-horse town known solely as the site of Kompira-san, a large shrine complex.
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大門 Daimon
The Great Gate, halfway up the hill, marks your entry into the shrine complex.
宝物館
旭社 Asahi sha
This shrine, which dates back to 1837, is the largest, oldest, and most impressive of Kompira's many shrine halls, in ornately decorated unpainted wood.
本宮 Hon-gū
The centerpiece of the shrine complex, with a large square in front and many buildings packed in a cluster.
厳魂神社 Izutama-jinja
Far fewer visitors make it all the way up here, and you'll be rewarded with nice views over the city. Also known as the Inner Shrine.
金陵の郷
This museum describes the various stages in sake production. The exhibits are mostly in Japanese, but there are leaflets in other languages at the entrance to explain the process.
琴平海洋博物館（海の科学館）
Highlights include a restored vessel from the Edo period along with all sorts of radio-controlled boats, bridges, and musings about man's relationship with the sea.
歴史民俗資料館
A good match with a visit to Kanamaru-za (see below), this museum showcases local folkcraft, including plenty of kabuki costumes and props.
金毘羅大芝居 (金丸座) - Konpira Ōshibai (Kanamaru-za)
Built in 1835, this kabuki playhouse is the oldest remaining in Japan. It was designated an Important Cultural National Property in 1970. You can get a surprising amount of access to almost the entire theater, including the elevated walkway, trapdoor, revolving stage, and actors' changing rooms. English pamphlets are available.
こんぴら温泉郷 琴参閣
Stop in if you need a soak after the walk up to Kompira-san — or, if you're really sore, switch your accommodation to one of the several hotels that comprise this hot spring "village".
春日鮨
Nice sushi restaurant. Conger eels are a specialty.
浪花堂餅店
Established in 1866 and run by five generations of the same family, Naniwa bakes fresh sweets daily. Bean cakes and rice cakes are specialties, but there are several varieties to try.
ことぶき
A traditional inn with excellent service, a premium kaiseki dinner (¥2500), and natural hot springs drawn from the Konpira Onsen.
こんぴら温泉 琴平花壇
Established in 1627, this inn was re-opened in 2008 and features a mix of Japanese-style rooms and Western-style suites, views over the river, public and private hot springs, and meals ranging from gourmet seafood to the obligatory Sanuki udon.
ホテルサンウェルコトヒラ
Decent business hotel with apartment-style rooms. Bike rentals, Internet access available.
Kotohira is on the JR Dosan Line. From Takamatsu, rapid trains depart hourly between 10:00 and 20:00, reaching Kotohira in 49 minutes (¥830). Buses also run from Takamatsu Airport (50 minutes, ¥1500).
Read in the guideThe shrine entrance is an easily walked few hundred meters south from the train stations. True to its name, the shrine is built on a hill and it's a fairly steep climb all the way to the top.
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Takamatsu · International · TAK
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