Kotohiragu Shrine

The shrine is located on Mt. Zotou and was called Konpira Daigongen before the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the early Meiji period.
It is the head shrine of the approximately 600 Konpira, Kotohira, or Kompira shrines in Japan.

The approach to the shrine is 785 stone steps to the main shrine and 1,368 steps to the inner shrine.
The large precincts are dotted with historic shrines and halls, and the Treasure House and Shoin (a study room) display first-rate works of art and cultural assets.

The shrine has long been known as “Sanuki no Kompira-san” (Sanuki Konpira-san).

Initially worshipped by people from all walks of life, since the mid-19th century it has been especially revered as a guardian deity of the sea, attracting the respect of fishermen, sailors, and others involved in maritime affairs.

The building has been remodeled, extended, renovated, and rebuilt several times to its present form.
The main shrine was rebuilt in 1878 with a cypress bark roof in the Taisha Sekimune style.

The deity is worshipped as the guardian deity of the sea, and many visitors come to the shrine to pay homage to the deity.

The approach to the shrine is flanked by souvenir stores and udon noodle stores, a Sanuki specialty, and there are many places of interest in the surrounding area, including the old Konpira Grand Theater (Kanamaru-za) and tall lanterns.