Things to Do in Kotohira (琴平町), Kagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kotohira (琴平町) in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kompirasan (琴平宮), Setonaikai Kokuritsukōen, Ōtsuchi Jima (大槌島) and served by Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) via the regional hub at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port. Set at 68 m elevation (34.1959°N, 133.8182°E), Kotohira offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style), Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame), Shodoshima olives & soy sauce cuisine and exploring neighboring Zentsūji (善通寺市) (4 km), Mitoyo (三豊市) (9.6 km), Marugame (丸亀市) (9.9 km), Mannō (まんのう町) (10.3 km).

The town is best known as the site of Shikoku's largest shrine complex, the Kotohira Shrine (popularly known as Konpira-san). Kotohira in western Kagawa Prefecture is Japan's most famous Shikoku shrine town, where pilgrims climb 785 stone steps (1,368 to the inner shrine) up Mount Zōzu to Kotohira-gū (Konpira-san), passing Japan's oldest surviving kabuki playhouse, the 1835 Kanamaruza. Set across coastal plains and river valleys at 68 m elevation in Kagawa Prefecture, Kotohira is anchored by local landmarks including Kompirasan (琴平宮), Setonaikai Kokuritsukōen, Ōtsuchi Jima (大槌島) and connects to neighboring Zentsūji, Mitoyo, Marugame via Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km). Within Kagawa Prefecture, Kotohira (琴平町) serves as a town (町) in kagawa prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu (one of Japan's finest landscape gardens), Naoshima & Teshima contemporary art islands, 1,368 steps of Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san), and original hilltop Marugame Castle.

What to See & Do in Kotohira (琴平町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kotohira (琴平町) from Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) at 68 m elevation (34.1959°N, 133.8182°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kotohira):

• Kompirasan (琴平宮) — local sightseeing landmark near Kotohira (琴平町).
• Setonaikai Kokuritsukōen — local sightseeing landmark near Kotohira (琴平町).
• Ōtsuchi Jima (大槌島) — local sightseeing landmark near Kotohira (琴平町).
• Amagiri Yama (天霧山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kotohira (琴平町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kotohira: Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) (connecting to Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kotohira

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kotohira (琴平町) and Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Zentsūji (善通寺市) — 4 km from Kotohira (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Mitoyo (三豊市) — 9.6 km from Kotohira (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Marugame (丸亀市) — 9.9 km from Kotohira (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Mannō (まんのう町) — 10.3 km from Kotohira (Kagawa Prefecture)
• Tadotsu (多度津町) — 10.7 km from Kotohira (Kagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Kotohira & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kotohira (琴平町) via Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km): 55m direct from Okayama Station across the Great Seto Bridge on the JR Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu. From Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) to reach central Kotohira (34.1959°N, 133.8182°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Takamatsu with Kotohira (琴平町) and neighboring Zentsūji, Mitoyo, Marugame. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kotohira, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Kotohira between Takamatsu and Zentsūji can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kotohira: While Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) anchors public transit for Kotohira, picking up a rental car at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port makes it easy to link Kompirasan (琴平宮) and Setonaikai Kokuritsukōen with nearby Zentsūji (善通寺市) (4 km), Mitoyo (三豊市) (9.6 km), Marugame (丸亀市) (9.9 km), Mannō (まんのう町) (10.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kotohira (琴平町) & Kagawa

Dining near Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) and across Kotohira (琴平町) highlights the regional food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kotohira:

• Sanuki udon (chewy hand-cut wheat noodles served kama-tamago, bukkake, or kake style) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kotohira (琴平町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Honetsuki-dori (garlic-pepper roasted bone-in chicken leg from Marugame) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kotohira (琴平町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Shodoshima olives & soy sauce — regional specialty enjoyed across Kotohira (琴平町) and Kagawa Prefecture.
• Oiri pastel wedding rice pearls — regional specialty enjoyed across Kotohira (琴平町) and Kagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kotohira (琴平町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km).

Where to Stay in Kotohira (琴平町)

Visitors staying overnight in Kotohira (琴平町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Takamatsu (Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port) or neighboring Zentsūji, Mitoyo, Marugame for quick train access into Kotohira. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kotohira & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kotohira (琴平町, 68 m elevation at 34.1959°N, 133.8182°E): Mild, sunny Seto Inland Sea climate makes spring (March–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov) ideal for island art hopping and climbing Kotohira-gu.

Wider sightseeing across Kagawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Kompirasan (琴平宮) in Kotohira (琴平町) includes: Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu (one of Japan's finest landscape gardens), Naoshima & Teshima contemporary art islands, 1,368 steps of Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san), and original hilltop Marugame Castle.

Practical Travel Tips for Kotohira (琴平町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kotohira: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takamatsu Station (JR Marine Liner from Okayama) & Takamatsu Port or Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) for local bus schedules to Kompirasan (琴平宮) and walking maps of Kotohira (琴平町).
• Cash & ATMs in Kotohira: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kompirasan (琴平宮) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kotohira accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kotohira: Around Kotohira Station (琴平駅) (0.5 km) and neighboring Zentsūji, Mitoyo, Marugame, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.