Challenge 1368 steps of Mount Zozu to reach the beautiful Kompira-san Shrine
Kompira-san, formally known as Kotohiragu, is the head shrine of multiple Kompira shrines throughout Japan that are dedicated to the God of the Sea since ancient times. It was originally a Buddhist and Shinto temple before officially declared a shrine in the beginning of the Meiji Period. Located on the wooded slope of the mystical Mount Zozu in Kotohira, the hike to Kompira-san is an arduous challenge of 1,368 stone steps but that doesn’t stop pilgrims from across the country coming to visit the Shikoku’s most popular shrine. Finishing the first 758 stone steps, you will find the Main Shrine and Ema Hall with plentiful maritime offerings like pictures of ships and models to ship engines. Nearby you can admire the spectacular scenes of Kotohira Town and the Inland Sea from a viewpoint. For the adventurous and keen climbers, the next 583 steps along a paved forested path will lead you up to the inner shrine Okusha with stone carvings on the cliff.
