Guardian of the Sea and Sailors
Kotohira-gū, enshrined on the slopes of sacred Mount Zōzu in Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's most celebrated Shinto sanctuaries. Its principal deity is Ōmononushi, and the shrine is also dedicated to Emperor Sutoku. Before the Meiji-era separation of Shinto and Buddhism, it was venerated under the name Konpira Daigongen, reflecting its syncretic origins.
The shrine is revered above all as a guardian of sailors, fishermen, and those who venture upon the sea, though its mountain setting has also given rise to traditions of mountain worship. As the head shrine of a network of roughly 600 affiliated Kotohira shrines across Japan, it holds immense religious authority. Popularly known as Konpira-san or Sanuki no Konpira-san, it draws millions of visitors each year.
The approach to the shrine is famous for its grueling stone staircase of 1,368 steps in total, climbing from the town below to the inner sanctuary at 421 meters above sea level. Pilgrimage to Kotohira-gū became widespread among ordinary people during the Edo period, when travel for religious purposes flourished. Even today, ascending these storied steps remains a cherished act of devotion for worshippers from across the country.
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