Konpira-san: Izutama Shrine (Oku-sha)
The entrance to the path to Izutama Shrine, commonly known as Oku-sha, is located on the right side of the Main Shrine (Honmiya) near the observation deck. The distance from the Main Shrine to Oku-sha is approximately 1.2 kilometers with 583 stone steps.
Izutama Shrine is situated at an altitude of 421 meters and the total number of stone steps from the main approach is 1,368. The shrine’s formal name is Izutama Shrine and it enshrines Izutama Hikono Mikoto, the founder of Kotohira Hongu.
Izutama Hikono Mikoto was born in the Sengoku period as the son of a retainer of the Ikoma family. He mastered the study of Japanese and Chinese deities and Buddhism at an early age and practiced at Mount Koya under the name “Yusei”. He became the head priest of Konko-in, the temple associated with Zozusan Konpira Daigongen. He devoted himself to the restoration of Konpira Daigongen, which had fallen into ruin due to the wars of the Sengoku period, and laid the foundation for the development of Konpira faith.
In Keicho 18 (1613), it is said that he left the words, “I will protect this mountain forever even after death,” and then vanished, transforming into a tengu. Later, he was enshrined as the guardian deity of Konpira Daigongen known as Kongobo.
Izutama Shrine, where Izutama Hikono Mikoto is enshrined, still faces towards the Main Shrine as if watching over Konpira-san.
Address
892-1 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture, 766-0001, Japan
Phone Number
0877-75-2121 (Kotohiragu)
Operating Hours
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Omote Shoin, Takahashi Yuichi Museum, and Treasure Museum: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed
Open year-round
Note: The museum facilities may close depending on internal circumstances and social conditions. Please check the official website for details.
Admission Fees
Visiting the shrine is free
Museum facilities: Adults 800 yen, high school and university students 400 yen, free for junior high school students and younger
Access
20-minute walk from JR Kotohira Station
15-minute walk from Kotoden Kotohira Station
About 15 minutes by car from Zentsuji IC (to the stone steps entrance)
Parking
Nearby town-operated parking available (suitable for large buses, paid)
