The forested Zōzan hill surrounding the famous Kotohiragu Shrine complex is less visited but equally beautiful in autumn, when maple and ginkgo trees along its paths and staircases turn vivid shades of red and yellow. The upper reaches of the hill, beyond the main shrine, host secondary shrines and ancient cedar groves that take on an atmospheric quality in the autumn mist. Visitors combining a morning climb of the shrine's 1,368 stone steps with a leafy afternoon walk through Zōzan's autumn woodland enjoy a full day of culture and koyo. Local confectionery shops along the approach road sell seasonal momiji (maple leaf) sweets.
- Type
- Experience
- Category
- Autumn Leaves
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- Mid to Late November
- Region
- Shikoku
- Prefecture
- Kagawa
- City
- Kotohira
Highlights
- ◆Maple and ginkgo along historic stone stairways
- ◆Atmospheric secondary shrines in autumn cedar groves
- ◆Combine with Kotohiragu Shrine pilgrimage climb
- ◆Seasonal momiji sweets from local confectionery shops
- ◆Peaceful woodland walk beyond the main shrine precincts