Konpira Shrine Steps

Trail description

This climb starts at Kotoden-Kotohira station, about ten minutes on foot from the start of the approach to Kotohira-gu, the Konpira-san shrine on Mount Zōzu, revered as a guardian of sailors. The 785 stone steps to the main shrine begin in a street of souvenir shops and udon restaurants, and a steep flight called Ichi-no-saka leads to the Ōmon, the main gate of the precinct, at the 365th step. Further flights pass the carved Asahi-sha, which took about 40 years to build, before the last 133 steps reach the main shrine (Hongū), rebuilt in its present form in 1878 and standing 251 m above sea level. The route is about 1.6 km with some 170 m of climbing and ends there, at a terrace looking over the Sanuki Plain towards the Seto Ōhashi bridge; the 583 further steps to the inner shrine are not included.

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