Discover Kotohira

If you’re looking for a hotel in Kotohira, your travel interests can guide your choice: Kabuki at Kanamaruza, Sanuki Udon cuisine, sake making, or art at the entrance to Kotohira Park. These themes lead to different experiences—from a historic theater and a museum to a guided udon-making experience. Before your trip, you can decide whether you’d rather see a performance, discover local cuisine, or take part in making noodles yourself.

Kabuki at Kanamaruza

The Konpira Grand Theatre, commonly known as Kanamaruza, was built in 1835 and is Japan’s oldest surviving theater. Kabuki performances are still held there in the spring. The local performance tradition dates back to 1985, and the shows are popular with local residents and visitors from across the country. Kanamaruza thus combines its architectural history with an ongoing stage tradition. If Kabuki is important to your trip, check the specific performance dates in advance so you can plan your visit around a show.

Sanuki Udon in Kotohira

Kotohira is known as the “birthplace of udon shops.” Many restaurants serve handmade Sanuki Udon noodles in a light iriko dashi broth—that is, anchovy broth—often topped with chopped green onions. This gives you two different ways to explore udon cuisine: you can try a prepared bowl or learn how it’s made in a hands-on experience.

Make Udon Yourself

The Nakano Udon School on Kotohira’s Omotesando offers a hands-on experience making Sanuki Udon. Guided by a professional, you knead the flour, roll out the dough with a rolling pin, cook the noodles, and then eat them. Allow 40 to 60 minutes. The process takes you from dough to finished dish, making it different from simply visiting a restaurant. If you’d like to include this activity in your trip, check reservation requirements and fees in advance.

Sake History at Kinryo no Sato

Kinryo no Sato is a museum about the history and culture of sake making. It preserves a brewery dating back to the Edo period, maintained in the condition it was in when it was founded. Another way to explore sake culture is at the Kinryo no Sato shop, which is directly operated by the brewery: you can sample sake there. The museum and tasting offer different perspectives—one focuses on the preserved brewery and its history, the other on sampling sake. Check the latest tasting details before planning a visit.

Artwork at Kotohira Park

At the entrance to Kotohira Park stands the artwork “宙（そら）にかぶく” by Shinohara Katsuyuki. The work is 4 m tall and consists of four iron posts, each about 3 m long, on a base made with Aji stone and other stones from around the world. The two measurements refer to different elements: 4 m is the height of the entire artwork, while about 3 m is the length of the posts. This helps put the sculpture’s size into perspective without conflating the dimensions of the work and its individual parts.

Getting There from Okayama

From Okayama Station, the JR Seto-Ohashi Line and Dosan Line take you to JR Kotohira Station in about 60 minutes. This time is an estimate for this route. Timetables and services can change, so check the connection for your travel date. This lets you plan your journey from Okayama with an approximate travel time and then confirm the specific departure using the latest timetable.

Discover more destinations: Tadotsu, Marugame, Sakaide, Higashikagawa, Naoshima, Takamatsu, Nishishirakata, Furue

Return to the main travel guide: Kagawa Prefecture.