Konpira-san こんぴらさん

Konpira shrine / Kotohira-gû 金刀比羅宮

japanischer Shintô-Schrein

Kotohira / Nakatado / Kagawa prefecture

Kotohira-gû, more popularly known as “Konpira-san“, is an ancient shrine in the small town of Kotohira on the island of Shikoku. The site is located halfway up Mount Zôzu-zan (“Elephant Head”). The shrine, which can be reached by climbing over a thousand stone steps, has been an important pilgrimage destination for travellers and sailors since the Muromachi period (1333-1573) – many Japanese ships carry a lucky charm of the Konpira-san on board.