Kotohira Kadan is a historic ryokan in Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, founded in 1627 — over 400 years of continuous operation at the foot of the cedar grove leading up to Konpira-san (金刀比羅宮), the 785-step pilgrimage shrine. 18 guest rooms across four building sections (the Hanare detached cottages, Fujimidai, Shogetsu Terrace, Sansuikaku), Konpira hot spring (こんぴら温泉郷), and a guest register that has held Japanese imperial visits as well as the Meiji-era literary figures Mori Ogai and Yosano Akiko. This is the 2026 visit guide: rooms, dining, the onsen, and what to expect from a stay at the foot of the most-climbed pilgrimage in Shikoku.
Last updated: 2026-05-29 · Founded 1627 · Author: Nobutoshi · 18 rooms · Konpira Onsen
Quick facts
- Founded
- 1627 (Kan’ei era) — 400+ year operation
- Location
- Foot of Konpira-san (金刀比羅宮)
- Address
- 香川県仲多度郡琴平町1241-5
- Rooms
- 18 rooms across 4 buildings
- Buildings
- Hanare cottages, Fujimidai, Shogetsu Terrace, Sansuikaku
- Onsen
- こんぴら温泉郷 (Konpira Onsen district)
- Cuisine
- Kaiseki featuring Sanuki premium ingredients
- Rate range
- ~¥27,820 – ¥283,600 per night (2 adults)
- Notable guests
- Imperial family, Mori Ogai, Yosano Akiko
- Konpira-san stone steps
- 785 to the Hongu (main shrine)
- Access
- ~5 min walk from JR Kotohira station
Why a Kotohira Kadan stay
Kotohira Kadan is the only large historic ryokan inside the immediate Konpira pilgrimage zone with continuous operation since 1627 — meaning you climb the shrine’s 785 stone steps in the morning, walk back to a hot bath drawn from Konpira Onsen, and eat a Sanuki kaiseki dinner without leaving the village. The literary heritage (Mori Ogai, Yosano Akiko both stayed here) is the second reason; the immediacy to the shrine is the first.
Most travellers reach Kotohira from Takamatsu (~60 minutes on the JR Dosan Line) or via direct shuttle from Kotoden Kotohira station. The ryokan sits at the base of the famously steep approach — about 5 minutes’ walk from JR Kotohira station, then 1 minute from the start of the 785-step climb. Stay here if you want to attempt the full pilgrimage to Oku-no-Yashiro (1,368 steps total to the inner shrine) without a transfer between accommodation and trailhead.
The four buildings
Detached private cottages with semi-outdoor bath and garden view. The most expensive bookings. Suited for honeymoon or special occasions.
Main building rooms with views over the Sanuki plain. Standard for kaiseki-included rates. Best balance of comfort and price.
Renovated rooms with private terrace. Mid-range pricing. The newest of the four building sections.
Traditional rooms in the historic ryokan core. Closest to the public onsen baths. The literary-heritage building section.
The onsen + the dining
Kotohira Kadan’s baths draw from Konpira Onsen (こんぴら温泉郷), the local onsen district. The kaiseki menu emphasises Sanuki ingredients — Sanuki olive beef, Inland Sea seafood, Sanuki udon variations as a closing course — and changes by season.
The public bathing areas have indoor and outdoor options; the Hanare cottages have private semi-outdoor baths in-room. Dinner is served in-room at most rates, in a private dining room at premium rates, or in the public dining hall on budget plans. Breakfast is typically a Japanese-style multi-tray set served in the dining hall.
Climbing Konpira-san — what to plan around your stay
Konpira-san — formally 金刀比羅宮 (Kotohira-gu) — is a mountainside Shinto shrine famously approached by stone steps. The Hongu (main shrine) is at the 785-step mark, and the Oku-no-Yashiro (inner shrine) is at 1,368 steps — about 4 km of climbing round-trip if you do the inner shrine. Most visitors do only to the Hongu (about 60-90 minutes round-trip at a moderate pace).
- Best time of day: Early morning before 09:00 — light is still soft on the long approach, and the steps are less crowded
- Bring: Walking shoes (not sandals or heels), water, small towel
- Toilets: At the Hongu and at intervals along the approach
- Goshuin (御朱印 stamps): Available at the Hongu; a separate stamp for the Oku-no-Yashiro
- Closing time: The Hongu prayer hall closes at 17:00 most of the year
How to get to Kotohira
| From | Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takamatsu Station | JR Dosan Line Limited Express Shimanto | ~60 min | ~¥1,820 |
| Okayama Station | JR Marine Liner to Takamatsu → JR Dosan to Kotohira | ~2 h | ~¥3,500 |
| Tokyo (Shinagawa) | Tokaido Shinkansen → Okayama → Marine Liner → Dosan | ~5 h | ~¥18,500 |
| Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Sanyo Shinkansen → Okayama → JR to Kotohira | ~2 h 30 min | ~¥7,200 |
Tips for visitors from Singapore, Bangkok, KL & Jakarta
Practical notes for SEA travellers
- From SIN/KUL/BKK/CGK: Direct to Takamatsu (Tymp) via AirAsia X, Cebu Pacific selected routes; or NRT/HND then Shinkansen + JR Dosan via Okayama (5h total).
- JR Pass: Fully covers Tokaido Shinkansen + Marine Liner + JR Dosan to Kotohira.
- Halal & vegetarian: Ryokan kaiseki is multi-course; specify dietary needs at booking (most ryokan will substitute fish and vegetarian dishes for meat with notice). Sanuki udon is naturally vegetarian when ordered “kake” without bonito-based broth.
- Climate vs SEA: Kotohira at 50 m elevation has 4 seasons. Late spring (Apr-May) 15-22°C, much milder than Singapore. Summer 28-32°C with high humidity, similar to SEA. Winter 5-10°C — pack a coat.
- What to pack for Konpira-san: Walking shoes with grip. The stone steps are uneven; some are quite steep. Water bottle.
FAQ
When was Kotohira Kadan founded?
1627 (Kan’ei 4) — making it over 400 years old in 2026. The ryokan has operated continuously at the foot of Konpira-san since then. Notable guests from its 400-year register include the Japanese imperial family and the Meiji-era literary figures Mori Ogai and Yosano Akiko.
How many rooms does Kotohira Kadan have?
18 rooms distributed across four building sections: Hanare detached cottages (premium), Fujimidai main building, the renovated Shogetsu Terrace, and the historic Sansuikaku core. Rates range from approximately ¥27,820 to ¥283,600 per night for two adults depending on building and season.
What’s the closest train station?
JR Kotohira Station on the JR Dosan Line. About 5 minutes’ walk to the ryokan. From Takamatsu, take the JR Dosan Limited Express Shimanto (~60 min, ¥1,820). From Tokyo via Shinkansen + Marine Liner + Dosan, plan ~5 hours total.
How many stone steps to Konpira-san?
785 to the Hongu (main shrine), and 1,368 to the Oku-no-Yashiro (inner shrine). Round-trip to just the Hongu takes 60-90 minutes at a moderate pace. The full inner-shrine round-trip is closer to 3 hours. Wear walking shoes, not sandals.
Is the onsen private or shared?
Both. Public indoor and outdoor baths are available to all guests at no extra cost. Hanare cottages have private semi-outdoor baths in-room. Public bath hours typically run 15:00 – 24:00 and 06:00 – 10:00, with the men’s and women’s sides swapped halfway. Confirm exact times at check-in.
What’s served for dinner?
Kaiseki featuring Sanuki premium ingredients — Sanuki olive beef, Inland Sea (Seto-naikai) seafood, and Sanuki udon as a closing course. Menu changes by season. Most rates include dinner served in-room; premium rates use private dining rooms; budget plans use the public dining hall. Dietary restrictions accepted with advance notice.
Should I climb to the inner shrine or just the main shrine?
Most visitors do only the Hongu (785 steps, 60-90 minutes round-trip). The Oku-no-Yashiro adds another 583 steps and roughly 90 minutes more — that’s a more demanding hike with steeper grades. Climb the Hongu first; if energy remains by the top, continue. If not, the Hongu visit is the canonical pilgrimage.
Sources used for this article
- Kotohira Kadan official — kotohira-kadan.jp (1627 founding, guest register, building sections)
- Kotohira Kadan history — kotohira-kadan.jp/sightseeing/history
- JTB Travel — jtb.co.jp (room count + rates verified)
- Wikipedia (jp): 琴平山 (Kagawa) — Konpira-san shrine context
- Personal observation note: this article is a planning guide; not a stay review
Book a Kotohira Kadan stay — three paths
Direct booking is usually cheapest; aggregators useful for last-minute or package deals:
If you make the climb up Konpira-san, keep going past the main shrine to find the quiet Izutama Shrine, the hidden gem above Konpira-san.
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