Major city · Japan
Kotohira琴平
Go for one night, not a day trip: climb Kompira-san's 785 steps in the morning, sleep near the onsen, and leave before noon.
Kotohira is a small town built around one thing: Kompira-san, a shrine complex on a hill reached by 785 stone steps. The climb is the visit. Most travellers day-trip from Takamatsu, but a night here lets you start at first light, soak in the onsen afterwards and see the kabuki theatre without rushing. Two nights is the ceiling; one is enough.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Golden Week
- Airports
- TAK · OKJ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kotohira110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kotohira, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTAK Takamatsu Airport (Airport bus to Kotohira, about 50 min, about ¥1,500 (≈ US$11)).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: both stations are a few hundred metres from the shrine entrance.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5)
- Museum or sight ticketSake tasting at the Kinryo Sake Museum¥100 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥9,000 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥14,000 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥11,000 (≈ US$75) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TAK Takamatsu Airport (Airport bus to Kotohira, about 50 min, about ¥1,500) · OKJ Okayama Airport (Via Okayama station, then rail; longer than flying into Takamatsu)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kotohira: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable: both stations are a few hundred metres from the shrine entrance. The climb itself is stairs, so allow 40–60 min up to the main shrine and another 20–30 min to the inner shrine. Porters with a palanquin will carry you up for ¥6,000 and up.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
JR Dosan line rapid, or the Kotoden Kotohira line from Kotoden Kotohira
Ritsurin garden and udon; the standard base for Kotohira.
Marugame
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
JR Dosan line toward Okayama
Marugame Castle's stone walls and a short walk from the station.
Door to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Rail to Takamatsu or Uno, then ferry
Art island; too far for a comfortable return day from Kotohira.
Shodoshima
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Rail to Takamatsu, then ferry
Olives and the Kankakei gorge; sleep on the island.
Teshima
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Rail to Takamatsu, then ferry
Small art island; ferries are limited.
Higashikagawa
cautionDoor to door: About 40–50 min
JR Dosan line east
Sights are spread out; check bus times before going.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Konpira Onsen cluster
Hotels and ryokan around the onsen, 5–10 min walk from the shrine entrance. Best for a night after the climb.
Around Kotohira station
Both JR and Kotoden stations sit together; business hotels and the walk to the steps start here.
Takamatsu (day-trip base)
About 50 min by JR or an hour by Kotoden; use it if you only want the shrine.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥16,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥9,000 | ¥9,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥11,000 | ¥22,000 |
| JR rapid from Takamatsu, both ways2 × ¥1,660 | ¥3,320 |
| Kotoden from Takamatsu-Chikko, both ways2 × ¥1,220 | ¥2,440 |
| Airport bus from Takamatsu Airport, one way2 × ¥1,500 | ¥3,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,480 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,620 per person per day, bed included | ¥49,240≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Sanuki udon, plain or with toppings | ¥400–900 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Kotohira-style udon with soy and bonito flakes | ¥500–900 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Coffee | ¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Konpira amulet at the shrine | ¥800 (≈ US$6) |
| Sake tasting at the Kinryo Sake Museum | ¥100 (≈ under US$1) |
| Onsen soak at Konpira Onsen Kotosankaku | ¥1,200 (≈ US$9) adults |
| Palanquin up the hill | ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) and up |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The climb is steep and continuous; there is no lift or road to the top.
- Wear shoes with grip — the stone steps are worn and slick when wet.
- Many shrine-side shops and the museums close by late afternoon; plan the climb first.
- Some smaller shops and restaurants take cash only.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Kotohira琴平
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassies in Kotohira; most are in Tokyo, with consulates in Osaka. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Takamatsu → Kotohira, JR rapid: about ¥830 (≈ US$6), 49 min
- Takamatsu-Chikko → Kotoden Kotohira: about ¥610 (≈ US$5), about 1 h
- Takamatsu Airport → Kotohira, bus: about ¥1,500 (≈ US$11), about 50 min
- Okayama → Kotohira, Nanpu limited express: about ¥3,160 (≈ US$25), about 1 h
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 神社の入口はどこですか？ — Where is the shrine entrance? (jinja no iriguchi wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Small town: many shops close by late afternoon and some take cash only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kotohira. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TAK: last bus from Takamatsu Airport, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and shrine approach, the 785 steps, Kanamaru-za and the museums, the onsen cluster.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kompira-san, Kanamaru-za, Kinryo Sake Museum, Maritime Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.