Kotohiragu

The Golden Sword Hira Palace, nicknamed "Kim Biro", is located on the mountainside of Mount Kotohira and is dedicated to the God of God and Emperor Zonde. The long stone steps of the pilgrimage road are very famous, and there are 1368 steps to the inner shrine (Yankun Shrine). Climb to level 365 and you will reach the gate of the "two-story building into the mother house" structure. From the gate is the shrine grounds, and you can take the stone steps to carry the sedan chair like in the Edo period. On both sides of the road before the gate, souvenir shops, restaurants, etc. are lined up, and crutches are also rented out. Going through the gate, there are five confectionary shops "Five Renmin" with umbrellas lined up. It is a historical small shop that was licensed to operate in the shrine grounds due to the merits of the ancestors. Climbing up the stone steps, there are several ruins such as the main hall of the main hall, treasure hall, torii, etc., such as the Asahi Shrine with beautiful carvings on the pillars and gates, and the Shoin, which is decorated with wall paintings of Maruyama Yoshitsu and Ito Jakuchuku. The dots continue one after another, and when you reach level 785, you will arrive at the Palace. After climbing to level 1368, I finally arrived at the office, where I could have a panoramic view of Qinping's street scene. Kinto Hiragu was revered as the god of protection of the sea and the increase of agricultural production. In the Edo period, it was generally believed that it must be visited once in a lifetime, and many people from all over the country visited. At that time, there was even such a custom that people who could not visit the shrine in person would have their puppy go to the shrine on their behalf, and it was called "Kimpiro dog". It is still deeply revered and attracts many pilgrims, especially the New Year's shrine and the "Golden Sword Hira Matsuri", a regular festival in October.