The Kotohiragu Autumn Festival is the great annual celebration of Konpira-san, the beloved shrine above Kotohira, held over several days in October. Its highlight is a solemn and stately procession in which a portable shrine (mikoshi) carrying the deity is borne down the shrine’s famous long stone stairway and through the town, accompanied by priests, attendants in traditional costume, and ceremonial regalia — a dignified spectacle rooted in centuries of tradition. Around it, the shrine town of Kotohira fills with festival atmosphere, stalls and visitors. More stately and traditional than the boisterous summer festivals, it offers a glimpse of formal Shinto ritual at one of Japan’s most important shrines, and a fine reason to visit Kotohira in autumn.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kotohira, Kagawa |
| Hours | October, over several days |
| Admission | Free to watch |
| Time needed | An afternoon |
| Best time | October festival dates |
What to Experience
- A stately procession down the famous stone steps.
- A portable shrine (mikoshi) carrying the deity.
- Priests and attendants in traditional costume.
- Festival atmosphere in the shrine town of Kotohira.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Kotohiragu Shrine itself.
- Pair with Sanuki udon in the area.
- Read our Kagawa overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR or Kotoden to Kotohira for the festival.
- On foot: the procession runs through the town and steps.
Tips
Check the October festival dates and the procession schedule, coming to see the stately descent of the mikoshi down the famous stone steps, which is the highlight. It is a more formal, traditional festival than summer events, so watch respectfully, and combine it with climbing to the shrine itself and eating Sanuki udon in the town.
