Exploring the Mountain Towns of Kagawa—Kotohira and Kotohira Shrine(1)

The Kompira Shrine, located in Kotohira Town, is a very famous temple in Japan. 🌿🌟 It sits on the mountainside of Kotohira Mountain (also known as Elephant Head Mountain). This temple enshrines Ōmononushi-no-Kami, the deity of the sea, who is believed to have the power to drive away evil spirits, bring safety, and offer blessings. 🌄 It is also the head shrine of all Kompira shrines across Japan. 🌿🌟 Many Japanese people consider it a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage destination. Every day, people from all over Japan climb the mountain stairs to pay their respects. 🌄⛩️ 🌄 The buildings of Kompira Shrine are relatively scattered along the mountain path, with structures like the Hinode Shrine, Seto Shrine, and the Main Hall. 🌿🌟 Each building has a long and storied history. Along the road, you'll see stone tablets donated by various patrons, which show just how important this shrine is in the hearts of the Japanese people. 🍂✨ #Takamatsu 🌟