Day 1: If you're talking about Kagawa! Get to know Kotohira with classic experiences.
When it comes to starting a trip, it often happens early in the morning. Fortunately, if you take a highway bus from Kansai to Kotohira, you can get there in about 4 hours. Therefore, the morning meeting time is 8:30 AM at "WILLER Bus Terminal Osaka Umeda," which is considerate for those who aren't morning people.
By the time we arrived in Kotohira, it was already 1 PM! Feeling hungry, the first thing to do was enjoy our commemorative first bowl of udon. The chewiness was incomparable to our usual udon, and we couldn't stop eating. We want to eat at least five bowls during our stay.
[3:00 PM onwards] Udon making experience at Nakano Udon School
If you come to Kotohira, you must first experience making authentic Sanuki udon! The key is to knead the dough by stomping on it while dancing to music. The noodles, whether too thick or too thin, have a unique flavor because you made them yourself. It was perfectly delicious!
[7:00 PM onwards] Networking reception with locals
On the first night, we raised our glasses with people rooted in Kotohira Town! From those undertaking new challenges as new residents to individuals dedicated to preserving and passing down history, the conversation flowed endlessly with such a diverse and unique group of people.
As we were enjoying ourselves with drinks in hand, a lively sound could be heard from outside. Fortunately, October 10th, the day of our workation tour, was also the day of Kotohiragu Shrine's most important festival, the "Reitaisai." The grand procession, which felt like a trip back to the Heian period, was truly awe-inspiring.
What remains most memorable from a trip is not delicious food or beautiful scenery, but ultimately, "people"! It was such a wonderful time that allowed me to truly feel this, and I already love Kotohira on the very first day.
[Day 2] You won't know this on social media! Experience Kotohira's history with all five senses.
[9:00 AM - ] Meditation experience at Matsuo-ji Temple, 703 years old
The morning after enjoying Kotohira's night, we'll wake up a little early. At Matsuo-ji Temple, founded in 703, we'll experience a calming meditation. It's located in a quiet place just outside of town, making it perfect for centering yourself before work!
[10:30 AM onwards] Learn about the history of Kotohira at Ike Shoten and experience candy making.
After meditation, we head to "Gonin Hyakusho Ike Shoten," a shop with a history of 700 years. We learn about Kotohira's history and culture from Mr. Ike, the 28th generation owner of this candy shop, which manufactures and sells "Kamiyo Ame," a benefit candy of Konpira-san. In fact, besides running the candy shop, Mr. Ike is also a storyteller who travels nationwide, sharing and preserving the town's history and culture.
The content of the stories was full of information not found in tourist brochures, so much so that I wanted to tell someone about it immediately! If school lessons were this interesting, I wouldn't get sleepy... You can feel Mr. Ike's love for Kotohira through his stories, which is a must-see!
After learning about the history of Kotohira and the candy makers, experience making candy while wearing a happi coat that only the Gorin Hyakusho can wear. Pouring candy into the Ikekō original mold shaped like Shikoku, you'll feel like a candy maker yourself. You can wrap and take home more than 10 pieces of candy you made yourself, so you won't have to worry about souvenirs.
Since the experiential activities are consolidated in the morning, the afternoon is dedicated to focused work time. It's great to be able to secure blocks of time like this. I'll be visiting Matsuo-ji Temple, where I experienced meditation this morning, and will work within this extraordinary space. Perhaps the meditation is helping my work progress more smoothly than usual.
After working hard, I had dinner at a shop along the approach to the shrine, and then headed to "Cabin," this trip's accommodation. Today is an "online work retreat" time, using the free Wi-Fi to catch up on all the work I've accumulated.
Day 3: Car-free! Exploring slightly further afield with mobility services
[9:00 AM onwards] Make your own original bead bracelet
The morning of the third day was a slightly more relaxed start. A new ride-sharing service called "Kotohira mobiUsing the [tool name], we head to the main store of Hitotsubu Beads, which is a little further away.
Here, you can experience making a one-of-a-kind bracelet using vintage beads! While listening to stories from the owner, Ms. Miyoshi, who deeply loves beads, you can pick your favorites from the bottles of beads lined up on the wall. Combine them to create your original accessory.
After finishing, we had brunch at Hitotsubu Beads store with their much-anticipated thick tamagoyaki sandwich. The tamagoyaki itself contained boiled egg, and they even used two kinds of sauce... It was packed with so much care and detail that it was hard to believe it was from a bead shop, and it made sense that advance reservations by phone were required.
[1:00 PM onwards] Bag dyeing experience using the Sanuki Norizome technique
After returning to the inn and taking a breather in our room, we walked to the dyeing experience. We made original tote bags using Sanuki nori-zome (rice paste dyeing) under the instruction of "Mr. Ohno," the fourth-generation owner of a long-established dyeing shop founded in the first year of the Taisho era.
You select your favorite design from a stencil that has been pre-applied by Ono-san. Then, you dye it with your chosen colors. The process of removing the stencil takes place after you return home, once it's dry! The fact that it's not finished on the spot is wonderful, as it allows you to linger in the memories of your trip.
From 1 PM, it's the Inner Sanctuary Challenge at Konpira-san with the workation tour participants! The stone steps from the main approach number a total of 1,386, but since we've come all the way to Kotohira, we have to climb them. We rented walking sticks at Ike Shoten along the way and just kept climbing the stairs.
Then, you'll see Gonkon Shrine, where Gonkonhiko-no-Mikoto, the founder of Konpira Honkyo, is enshrined. There are also limited-edition amulets that can only be obtained by visiting the inner sanctuary, so be sure to get one if you make the climb! However, I strongly recommend visiting the inner sanctuary while your legs and back are still strong (lol).
[Day 4] Last day in Kotohira! Experiencing Kotohira's history with my own feet
Today's password is "Meet at 6 AM on the 0th level!" Guided by Mr. Ike from Ike Shoten, who appeared on the second day, we'll revisit the historical stories we heard on the second day, see it with our own eyes, climb with our own feet, and tie up loose ends.
Passing through the back path and feeding the birds, I savored each piece of history, which I would have missed had I been struggling to climb alone, as Mr. Ike taught me. It was too luxurious an experience for an early morning activity.
Since we had free time until the 13:00 closing, I headed to my favorite "workation" spot, Matsuo-ji Temple. Working in a different environment always helps me get more done. After the closing with the other workation participants, it was time to say goodbye to Kotohira.
Departing Kotohira at 5 PM, we arrived at the WILLER bus terminal just before 9 PM. The four-day workation tour, which felt long yet passed in a flash, came to an end with many happy memories!
In conclusion
When you think of Kotohira Town, it's not just about Kotohira-gu Shrine! These were the best four days, and I can say that with conviction. I never thought a place I had no prior connection to could become a town I'd want to return to, just from meeting locals. It's also a recommended town for those interested in history and culture.
If you'd like to experience Kotohira, where you can touch upon its historical culture and meet local people, please take a look here!
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