A Spiritual Hike : The Konpira-san Sanctuary
On Shikoku Island, about an hour and a half by train from Takamatsu City, is one of Japan's most inaccessible shrines: the Konpira-san Shrine, formerly known as Kotohira-gu.
Probably founded during the 1st century, the inner sanctuary is dedicated to Ō-mono-nushi-no-mikoto, protective deity of ships.
In Japan, the concept of ship can be quite broad: crew members of fishing boats, warships, submarines or rockets have come to seek the favors of the god.
Probably founded during the 1st century, the inner sanctuary is dedicated to Ō-mono-nushi-no-mikoto, protective deity of ships.
In Japan, the concept of ship can be quite broad: crew members of fishing boats, warships, submarines or rockets have come to seek the favors of the god.
View of one of the sanctuary buildings
Access to the sanctuary is through a small street lined with shops of all kinds: souvenirs or food, there is something for everyone. But the undisputed star remains the pilgrim's staff, given by the hotel where you will stay, sold in stalls or rented in the streets, which you may need to climb the 1368 steps that await you a little further .
You will have to climb 785 steps to get to the main shrine and 583 more to get to the inner shrine and greet the deity. If that's a bit scary, do not worry: Shops and museums will be present all along your journey to the summit, giving you plenty of opportunities to stop and rest for a bit.
If you have trouble getting around, it is also possible to climb by the means of a palanquin for 5300 \ the climb, 3200 \ the descent, or 6800 \ for the round trip.
You will have to climb 785 steps to get to the main shrine and 583 more to get to the inner shrine and greet the deity. If that's a bit scary, do not worry: Shops and museums will be present all along your journey to the summit, giving you plenty of opportunities to stop and rest for a bit.
If you have trouble getting around, it is also possible to climb by the means of a palanquin for 5300 \ the climb, 3200 \ the descent, or 6800 \ for the round trip.
Omotesando, the street that will take you to the shrine
Once the big torii passed, the climb is more lenient, the flights of stairs being spaced by large paths. The view from the main shrine is breath-taking : it offers a panorama of the whole city, and Mount Inoyama, which shape makes it looks a bit like a small Mount Fuji.
The climb can end here, but the bravest and / or hungry for discovery fellows can follow the path that bypasses the sanctuary to the right, to continue their journey through the forest to the inner temple.
Once the descent is done, you can rest your feet in the hot spring provided for this purpose: no need to remove your clothes if not your socks, and roll up your pants. The source is open air and free, so do not hesitate to dive your feet in!
Be careful, however, as the bath closes around 5pm.
Things to discover along the road :The climb can end here, but the bravest and / or hungry for discovery fellows can follow the path that bypasses the sanctuary to the right, to continue their journey through the forest to the inner temple.
Once the descent is done, you can rest your feet in the hot spring provided for this purpose: no need to remove your clothes if not your socks, and roll up your pants. The source is open air and free, so do not hesitate to dive your feet in!
Be careful, however, as the bath closes around 5pm.
- the giant propeller, offered to the temple by the largest naval company in the country
- the submarine on the left of the inner sanctuary
- White horses stables
- Buddhist elements in Shinto shrine architecture
Museums
- Konpira's treasure room, with its 11-headed Konon statue and Noh theater masks
- Yuichi Takahashi Museum
- Maritime Museum
- The sake museum (in the city at the bottom of the steps)