From Kotoden Kotohira Station, we stroll along the lively san̄dō, lined with traditional sweet shops, udon restaurants, and local crafts. After passing through the grand mountain gate, we enter the sacred place. Here you can explore the Omote-Shoin and Oku-Shoin, former residences of high priests, known for their elegant rooms and beautiful wall paintings. The Treasure Hall at Kotohira Shrine displays a rich collection of sacred artifacts, artworks, and historical items dedicated over centuries by pilgrims and worshippers. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Konpira-san.

Kotohira Shrine has 786 stone steps, but I will adjust the route to your pace. Even without climbing the steepest part, you can still enjoy the sacred atmosphere that has welcomed pilgrims for over a thousand years. A taxi can also take us up to Kamitsubaki Parlor, a historic resting place where pilgrims once stopped for tea. From the parlor, the taxi can continue to Kanamaruza, Japan’s oldest surviving kabuki theater, where you can step inside and see how the stage is still crafted and prepared for spring performances.

For lunch, we enjoy authentic local food that pilgrims likely savored before or after their long journey—a traditional udon noodle restaurant offering a quick and delicious meal.

After lunch, we can visit the Kinryo Sake shop and museum, where sake is still brewed and dedicated to the deities of Kotohiragu Shrine.

A short taxi ride will take us Zentsū-ji, which offers a deep connection to the the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

During the tour, we explore the temple grounds, including the birthplace area of Kūkai and the main halls where visitors can experience traditional Buddhist culture. One unique highlight is Kaidan-meguri, an underground passage beneath the main hall. Visitors walk through complete darkness, symbolizing a spiritual journey of reflection and rebirth. By feeling along the wall to find the sacred handle representing Kūkai, the experience is believed to create a spiritual connection with the revered monk.

This visit offers both historical insight and a memorable spiritual experience in one of Shikoku’s most significant temples.

Shikoku Mura Museum is an open-air museum nestled on the slopes of Mt. Yashima, where traditional buildings from across Shikoku have been carefully relocated and preserved. We visit highlights such as the sugar cane processing hut, old paper-making farmers’ houses, and the small waterfall that give a vivid sense of how people once lived and worked in the countryside. Please note that, as the open-air museum was beautifully designed by the stone sculptor Nagare, the path includes a stone-paved hill. We can adjust how far we walk, or enjoy the video theater partly— we can decide on the spot.

Our visit ends with a relaxing tea break at the former residence of an English merchant in Kobe built in 1905, a charming Western-style house that offers a peaceful place to rest before continuing the tour. If you start to feel tired, we can also take a taxi back to your hotel for a comfortable and easy return.

Immerse yourself in one of Japan’s finest traditional gardens, awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide. Stroll through beautifully landscaped paths or glide across the calm waters on a traditional boat, discovering breathtaking views at every turn.

During the visit, your guide will share the fascinating history behind Ritsurin Garden—literally “Chestnut Grove Garden”, despite there being only a handful of chestnut trees remaining today. You’ll hear stories of how the feudal lords of the Takamatsu domain designed and enjoyed this garden during the samurai era, using it as a place of leisure, cultural refinement, and hospitality for important guests.

Pause at an elegant teahouse to savor matcha and delicate sweets, embracing a moment of tranquility in this timeless setting while learning the deeper meanings behind its design.