Experience the lively atmosphere in front of the temple by "drinking"!
Kotohira-gu Shrine, affectionately known as "Konpira-san," has attracted many pilgrims since ancient times. The shrine enshrines Omononushi-no-kami and Emperor Sutoku (1119-1164), but due to its location on the mountainside of Mount Zozu overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, the belief that the shrine primarily grants blessings for safety at sea has had a major impact on local culture. Especially during the Edo period, the shrine was recognized as open to even commoners, who were generally prohibited from traveling, and pilgrims flocked to it from all over the country. As a result, a long temple town was formed at the foot of Mount Zozu, and it is said that the first restaurant in Japan specializing in udon, now a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture, was born in this temple town. The bustle of the area remains unchanged to this day, but if you think of a tour of the temple grounds from the perspective of "sake," you can experience its charm even more deeply and splendidly.
① Kinrei no Sato (photos 2-6)
Kinrei is a famous sake that represents Kagawa Prefecture.
It originated in the temple town of Kotohira, and was founded in 1789. Its predecessor was a merchant who had been brewing sake in the area since the first half of the 17th century, but one day an indigo merchant who came to visit from the neighboring province of Awa (present-day Tokushima Prefecture) witnessed the thriving business in Kotohira and negotiated with the merchant on the spot to take over the business, which is said to be the beginning of the company. In modern times, it has evolved into a full-fledged "sake brewery," and has succeeded in both pursuing quality and expanding production. Currently, with bases in Takamatsu and Tadotsu, it distributes on a large scale, mainly in western Japan.
Meanwhile, in front of the gate of Kotohira Shrine, where the company was founded, there is a shop for visitors, as well as a museum called "Kinryo no Sato" that introduces the history of Kinryo, the process of Japanese sake brewing, and the appeal of its flavor. Inside the museum, which is free to enter, the sake brewing process is dynamically depicted using life-sized dolls and models. Going further inside, you will find a gallery space. On display are "sake vessels." It is a spectacular sight to see ceramics and porcelain from all over the world, past and present, and vessels that are used in all situations when people drink and taste sake, neatly arranged and lined up.
After learning about sake and Kinryo Sake Brewery, head to the shop. You can purchase Kinryo's famous sake, including rare items. There is also a "kakuuchi space" inside the store. You can enjoy a lineup of sake that changes daily as if you were tasting it, and remembering the knowledge you gained earlier will make your intoxication even more delicious.
Access: About 8 minutes walk from Kotohira Station
② Donzo Brewing (photos 1, 7-10)
This brewery is attracting attention as a new face in front of the historic gates of Kotohira. It is located a little away from the busiest area between Kotohira Shrine and Kotohira Station, in the nostalgic "Shinmachi Shopping Street" where locals also come and go. When you enter the taproom, you will see the brewing tanks set up in a chic concrete store and a cute elephant-decorated noren curtain. The blackboard next to the counter lists the lineup of six types of craft beer. In addition to the basic "Kotohira IPA" and "Kotohira PaleAle," there are also refreshing menus with a strong regional flavor of Shikoku, mainly Kagawa, such as "Fully Juiced Shiranui IPA" and "Shingu Tea Ale." There are also a variety of stimulating snacks, such as wieners, bacon, and locally made "pickled scallions." Incidentally, the strange name Donzo comes from Donzo-ro, the home of Kusanagi Enseki (1817-1868), a patriot from the end of the Edo period, which is said to have been located nearby. Enseki was famous as a loyalist to the emperor, and was a man who supported the Meiji Restoration in Kotohira, forming a close friendship with Takasugi Shinsaku (1849-1867), a samurai of the Choshu clan, and sheltering him in his own home. Donzo-ro was the place where these patriots planned their restoration and talked loudly about their dreams. Brewed with the desire to emulate them, this cup of sake left an unparalleled impression on history buffs. Menu example: Kotohira IPA (S750 yen, R1,100 yen), Nagisa pickled radish (250 yen)
Access: About 4 minutes on foot from Kotohira Station
*Some of the photos in this post were borrowed from a friend
#Kotohira Shrine #Konpira-san #Kinling #Kinling-no-Sato #Donzo Brewing #Kotohira #Kotohira Town #Kagawa Trip #Kagawa Tourism #Kagawa Prefecture Tourism #Shikoku Trip #Shikoku Tourism #Kagawa Travel Journal #Domestic Travel Lover #Want to Connect with Domestic Travel Lovers #Sake Lover #Sake Brewery Tour #Monzen Town #Craft Beer #Craft Beer Memo #Craft Beer Specialty Shop #Craft Beer Bar #Brewery #Takasugi Shinsaku #Lover of the Bakumatsu Period #Meiji Restoration #Zoutou Mountain #Lover of History #Solo Travel #Life with Travel