Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakuranosho

You know what really caught me off guard about Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakuranosho? I was expecting just another standard hotel near the shrine, but this place actually has some serious character. It’s tucked away in a spot where you can still hear the temple bells from Konpira-san in the morning — which sounds cheesy, but honestly, it’s pretty magical when you’re having your coffee on the balcony.

The whole place feels like someone took a traditional ryokan and gave it just enough modern touches to keep you comfortable without losing that authentic vibe. I mean, the lobby still has that classic tatami seating area where older Japanese guests gather in the evenings, but they’ve also got proper Western-style rooms with actual beds (thank god, because my knees can’t handle floor sleeping anymore). The onsen here is the real deal though — natural hot springs that locals have been using for centuries, and you can tell because there’s this slightly sulfurous smell that means it’s legit mineral water, not just heated tap water like some places try to pass off.

What I really appreciated was how the staff seemed to know the area inside and out. When I mentioned wanting to climb up to Konpira shrine early to beat the crowds, the front desk guy — without me even asking — drew me a little map showing which route has the best views and told me the shrine gates open at 6 AM, so I could be back for their breakfast service. Speaking of breakfast, they do this interesting mix of traditional Japanese and Western options, but honestly? Skip the toast and go for the local Sanuki udon — Kagawa prefecture is famous for it, and theirs is surprisingly good for hotel food. The rooms themselves are pretty spacious by Japanese standards, and I loved that mine faced the mountains rather than the street (though I’m not sure if you can request that specifically). Only minor complaint is that the air conditioning unit is a bit loud at night, but honestly, after walking those 785 stone steps up to the shrine, I was tired enough that it didn’t matter. The location is actually perfect if you’re planning to explore beyond just Kotohira — you’re about an hour from Takamatsu if you want to see the famous gardens, and the train station is close enough that you can hear the JR line trains, but not so close that it’s annoying. I’d definitely stay here again, especially during cherry blossom season when apparently the whole mountainside lights up pink.