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KOTOHIRA |
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Some 30km southwest of Takamatsu, KOTOHIRA , with its ancient shrine
Kotohira-gu - popularly known as Kompira-san - should be high on your
list of places to see in Shikoku. After the Grand Shrines of Ise , and
Izumo Taisha , Kotohira is one of the major places of pilgrimage of the
Shinto religion, attracting around four million visitors a year. The
town itself is pleasantly located, straddling the Kanakura-gawa at the
foot of the mountain Zozu-san, so called because it is said to resemble
an elephant's head ( zozu ). Kotohira can easily be visited on a day-trip
from Takamatsu, one hour away by train, or en route to Kochi or the
mountainous interior.
The Town
Kotohira is compact and easily negotiated by foot. The main sights lie
across the river from the train and bus stations; this is where you'll
find the approach to the shrine and the main shopping street, as well as
most hotels and restaurants. The shrine takes at least a couple of hours
to explore fully. If you have more time, check out the Kanamaru-za, a
traditional Kabuki theatre, and the old sake factory |
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