Things to do in Miyoshi District (2025): Top nearby activities,popular attractions,itinerary planning,weather,accommodation,food,transportation,and more - all you need to know (updated August 2025) | Trip.com
当地向导行er:“Kotohira-gu is a famous shrine in Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, dedicated to Omononushi-no-Kami and Emperor Sutoku Tenno. It is one of the most important shrines in Japan, especially known as the patron saint of maritime safety and sailors.
### Main Features:
1. **Walking route**:
- From the foot of the mountain to the main shrine, you need to climb 785 stone steps, and to the Oku shrine, you need to climb 1368 steps. There are many rest stops and teahouses along the way for worshippers to rest.
2. **Architecture and landscape**:
- The architectural style of the main shrine and the Oku shrine is simple, and the surrounding natural landscape is beautiful, especially the cherry blossoms in spring and the red leaves in autumn, which attract a large number of tourists.
3. **Cultural significance**:
- Kotohira-gu has a high status in Japanese culture, and many literary works and artistic creations are based on it.
4. **Treasure House**:
- There is a treasure house in the shrine, which displays precious artifacts related to the history and culture of the shrine.
### Visiting Information:
- **Address**: 892-1, Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
- **Opening Hours**: Usually from early morning to evening, the specific time varies with the season.
- **Transportation**: It takes about 1 hour to reach Kotohira-cho from Takamatsu City by JR train or bus, and then walk to the shrine.
### Tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes, as climbing the stone steps requires some physical strength.
- Teahouses along the way offer local snacks and drinks, such as dango and matcha, which are worth a try.
Kotohira-gu is not only a religious place, but also a good place to experience Japanese nature and culture.”
yuupapa:“The cosmos and kochia flowers are beautiful in autumn.
The park also has an auto camping site and a children's playground (free of charge), so if you have children, they can spend the whole day there.”
当地向导行er:“Ritsurin Garden is one of the most famous historical gardens in Japan, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. It was built in the early Edo period and has a history of more than 400 years. It is a national special scenic spot in Japan. Ritsurin Garden is famous for its exquisite landscape design, rich vegetation and tranquil atmosphere. It is an outstanding representative of traditional Japanese garden art.
### Main features:
1. **Large scale**: Ritsurin Garden covers an area of about 75 hectares and is divided into two parts: the South Garden and the North Garden. The South Garden is a typical strolling garden, while the North Garden is dominated by natural landscapes.
2. **Borrowed scenery design**: The garden cleverly uses the distant Ziyun Mountain as the background to form a "borrowed scenery" effect, which enhances the layering and depth of the garden.
3. **Ponds and bridges**: There are multiple ponds in the garden, connected by small bridges, and small islands are dotted in the ponds, creating a poetic waterscape.
4. **The Art of Pine Tree Pruning**: The pine trees in the park have been carefully pruned in various shapes, showing the superb skills of Japanese gardening.
5. **Seasonal Beauty**: Cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, red leaves in autumn, and snow in winter, Ritsurin Park has different styles in each season.
### Tour Suggestions:
- **Tour Time**: It is recommended to reserve 2-3 hours to slowly appreciate the details of the garden.
- **Tea Room Experience**: There is a traditional tea room in the park, where you can experience the Japanese tea ceremony culture.
- **Boat Tour**: In the pond of the South Garden, you can take a Japanese boat to experience a unique garden perspective.
Ritsurin Park is not only a symbol of Japanese culture, but also a model of the perfect combination of nature and humanity. If you have the opportunity to visit Takamatsu City, this is definitely a must-see attraction!”
Please contact the attraction to confirm specific opening hours
Missfoodies:“Iya Onsen, one of the three largest hot springs in Japan, has beautiful scenery and fresh air. This time I stayed at the hot spring hotel in the Iya Onsen area, and a private cable car can go up the mountain to enjoy the open-air bath, a very unforgettable experience!”
Where to stay
Discover the most popular places to stay in Miyoshi District, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers