A journey to cleanse your body and soul - Challenge the most difficult shrine to visit - Kotohira-gu Shrine

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 To reach the Hongu Shrine, you need to climb 785 stone steps. If you want to challenge yourself, you can walk to Okusha, which has a total of 1,368 steps! Although the process is tiring, the scenery along the way is beautiful. There are many shops and teahouses where you can take a break. You can also rent wooden sticks (￥100), which are very helpful for climbing the stairs. Once we arrived at Gohongu, the view was so vast that it made all the effort worth it. I particularly like one of the characteristics of Kotohira Shrine - the legend of the Kotohira Dog, which makes the whole worship process more interesting. After the worship, you can also stroll along the approach to the shrine. There are many souvenirs to choose from. It is recommended that you must try the local food and handicrafts here. Although there are many stone steps and it is known as the "most difficult shrine to visit", modern facilities have made the path smooth and easy to walk. It is highly recommended for friends who want to challenge themselves or who like history and culture! It is not just a shrine, but also a journey that tests one's will and a beautiful reward after reaching the summit. This was a unique experience that cleansed my body and soul.