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Kotohira Travel

Curated Itineraries

Chūsan Pop-Out Reading Escape [Sunny Day Plan]

3days

Savor delicious local food, read at your own pace, and fully enjoy Kotohira.

＼Local Guide／

KAHO

She first visited Kotohira through a monitor tour during her first year at university.
Since that day, Kotohira has become a familiar place she returns to every year, saying “I’m back.”
Now in her fourth year of university, she is staying in Kotohira for about a month and a half while working on her graduation thesis.

Course Details

  1. DAY.18:30

    Depart Osaka Umeda (WILLER Bus Terminal)

    Arrive at the Kotohira / Konpira Sando-guchi bus stop at 12:50.
    Leave your luggage at kotori Kotohira and head out light.
    Instead of the easy-to-spot udon shops along the main approach, try a place frequented by locals.
    Thinking ahead to the next stop, rent a bicycle at kotori Kotohira before heading out.

    Bicycle about 2 minutes

  2. DAY.113:30

    Iwanoya Udon

    Eat udon at the self-service “Iwanoya,” popular among locals.

    A self-service udon shop beloved by locals.

    Beyond the atmospheric shopping street is Iwanoya, a udon shop popular with locals.
    It is lively with local students and office workers.
    My recommendation is the Toriten Bukkake. Freshly fried chicken tempura has a lightly sweet seasoned batter, making it very satisfying.
    It’s no exaggeration to say this is the udon shop I visit most often when coming to Kagawa.

    Name
    Iwanoya Udon
    Address
    291-10 Kotohira, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    11:00-15:00 (Closes when udon is sold out.)
    Closed
    Sundays

    Bicycle about 30 minutes

  3. DAY.115:00

    SUNNYSIDE FIELDS

    Relaxed reading at SUNNYSIDE FIELDS in the satoyama

    A place to feel happiness through all five senses, surrounded by nature.

    Climbing a mountain road, this café suddenly appears amid rice fields.
    Their all-you-can-fill chocolate selection (10+ varieties) is a delightful surprise.

    A favorite reading spot is the annex room, used as an eat-in space.
    Enjoy coffee and chocolate while reading, with sweeping views of the countryside.

    Name
    SUNNYSIDE FIELDS
    Address
    2237 Nagao, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    Weekdays 10:00–16:00 (Last order 15:30), Weekends & Holidays 10:00–17:00 (Last order 16:30)
    Closed
    Wednesdays, Thursdays

    Bicycle about 15 minutes

  4. DAY.116:15

    Manno Town Library

    Learn about local life through books at Manno Town Library

    A quiet local library where you can slow down and enjoy reading at your own pace.

    Located next to a junior high school, the library is often shared by students and local residents alike.
    It offers a subtle glimpse into the relationship between books and everyday life in the community — a niche yet meaningful stop for travelers seeking a more local experience.

    Name
    Manno Town Library
    Address
    957 Yoshinoshita, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    10:00-18:00
    Closed
    Closed on Tuesdays, Year-end & New Year holidays, and during special maintenance periods

    Bicycle about 15 minutes

  5. DAY.118:00

    Kotori Coworking & Hostel Kotohira

    Check in at kotori Kotohira

    A hostel where you can enjoy sightseeing while staying in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

    Located along the main approach to Kotohira-gu Shrine, the area is lively during the day with many restaurants and souvenir shops, yet becomes quiet and peaceful at night — an ideal location to enjoy sightseeing while resting comfortably.

    Name
    Kotori Coworking & Hostel Kotohira
    Address
    720-15 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa
    Opening Hours
    Check-in: 15:00-24:00

    Overnight stay at Kotori Kotohira.

  6. DAY.25:45

    Wake up early on the second day for a morning visit. Hearing that a bell rings at the 100th step every morning at 6:00, you head out at a brisk pace.

    mobi about 10 minutes

  7. DAY.28:00

    Bakery & Cafe Currants

    Breakfast at Bakery & Cafe Currants, loved by locals

    A local favorite bakery offering a wide variety of breads.

    The signature Mentaiko Fissel is generously filled with mentaiko butter.
    Eat-in seating allows you to enjoy freshly baked bread right away; drinks are available to-go — perfect for a picnic.

    Name
    Bakery & Cafe Currants
    Address
    1486-1 Yoshinoshita, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    7:00-18:00
    Closed
    Mondays, Tuesdays

    Travel on the Kotoden Kotohira Line from Kotohira Station to Kawaramachi Station

  8. DAY.214:30

    Lunuganga

    Visit Lunuganga, a Takamatsu bookstore you wish were in your neighborhood

    Lunuganga, a New Bookstore in Takamatsu

    The book selection is simply wonderful.
    Encounters with unknown worlds are exciting, and you understand why someone said, “Check your wallet before going”.

    Name
    Lunuganga
    Address
    1F, 11-13 Kamei-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    10:00-19:00
    Closed
    Tuesdays

    Walk about 6 minutes

  9. DAY.216:00

    Nakazora

    Enjoy tea time at Hankū, a café where coffee, books, and music come together.

    A quiet café where solo readers can fully immerse themselves in books

    A cafe of coffee, books, and music.
    Cocktails named after literary writers and light meals featured in books make it irresistible.

    Name
    Nakazora
    Address
    Kitahara Building 2F, 1-10-18 Kawaramachi, Takamatsu City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    10:00-27:00 (Wednesdays & Thursdays: 13:00-27:00)
    Closed
    No regular closing days.

    Train about 56 minutes + walk about 8 minutes

  10. DAY.219:00

    Honey Raizo

    Start with a drink at the dining spot Honey Raizo

    A family-run set-meal restaurant loved by the people of Kotohira.

    A couple-run diner filled with local regulars.
    The warm welcome from the charming owner feels like coming home.

    The daily lunch set, with multiple side dishes, miso soup, rice, and a main.

    In udon-rich Kagawa, it’s good to know a place where you can have miso soup.
    It reliably supports the nutrition of locals who consume plenty of wheat.
    Offers comfort you didn’t know you needed while traveling.

    Name
    Honey Raizo
    Address
    242 Kotohira, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    11:00-21:00
    Closed
    Tuesdays

    Walk about 3 minutes

  11. DAY.220:00

    Donzo Brewing

    Finish the night with craft beer at Donzo Brewing

    A craft beer brewery and taproom located in the Kotohira shopping street.

    Donzo Brewing is a local craft beer spot in Kotohira Town.
    Housed in a renovated former pottery shop, it has become a lively gathering place for the community.
    Enjoy a freshly poured pint straight from the taps in front of you — a perfect way to end a day of exploring Kotohira.

    Name
    Donzo Brewing
    Address
    182-2 Kotohira, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    Weekdays: 18:00-22:00, Saturdays: 12:00- 22:00, Sundays & Public Holidays: 12:00-20:00
    Closed
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays

    Return to Kotori Kotohira and enjoy some relaxed, unhurried time.

  12. DAY.310:00

    Zentsuji City Library

    About 30 minutes by rental bicycle from Kotori Kotohira to Zentsuji City Library.

    A library with a reading terrace overlooking Mount Gogaku.

    A relatively new facility relocated and reopened in 2022.
    It even has a reading terrace overlooking Mount Gogaku, a personal favorite.

    Name
    Zentsuji City Library
    Address
    2-1-1 Bunkyō-chō, Zentsuji City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    9:00-19:00 (Sundays & Public Holidays: until 18:00)
    Closed
    The last day of each month (If it falls on a weekend or public holiday, the library will be closed on the next weekday), Year-end and New Year holidays, Special inventory and maintenance periods

    Bicycle about 10 minutes

  13. DAY.312:00

    Miyagawa Seimenjo

    Lunch at the old-style fully self-service Miyagawa Seimenjo

    A traditional udon shop serving freshly made noodles inside a noodle factory.

    A shop serving freshly made udon in one corner of a noodle factory.
    The nostalgic atmosphere and scent of dried sardines enhance its charm.

    It was my first time at a fully self-service shop, and I was confused at first.
    Thankfully, a kind staff member helped me, making it a memorable experience.

    The menu has only three options: kake, tsuke, and bukkake.
    Payment is after eating. Remembering these two points should be enough.

    Name
    Miyagawa Seimenjo
    Address
    1-1-20 Nakamura-cho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    8:00-18:00
    Closed
    Sundays

    Bicycle about 35 minutes

  14. DAY.313:30

    Shikishimakan Foot Bath

    Soothe cycling fatigue at the Shikishimakan foot bath

    Take a slow breath while watching people stroll along the approach.

    Located along the Konpira shrine approach, it’s the perfect spot to ease travel fatigue the very same day.

    Name
    Shikishimakan Foot Bath
    Address
    716-5 Kotohira, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    9:00-16:00
    Closed
    May be closed in case of rain.

    Walk about 2 minutes

  15. DAY.314:00

    HAKOBUNE Building

    Choose a drifting book beneath the HAKOBUNE Building.

    A multifunctional complex where gathering, dining, and staying come together under one roof.

    Reading a book you brought is nice, but encounters during travel are important too.
    Next to the elevator are books that have drifted in from all over Japan, available for anyone to borrow.
    Maximum lending period is two years.

    Name
    HAKOBUNE Building
    Address
    725-1 Kotohira, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan

    Walk about 3 minutes

  16. DAY.315:00

    Sando Sand. Stand

    Relaxed reading time at Sando Sand. Stand.

    A place that truly respects personal time.

    Everyone spends time in their own way, making it easy to read without hesitation.
    The shop even encourages knitting at the tables, showing how much personal time is respected.

    Name
    Sando Sand. Stand
    Address
    725 Kotohira, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00-17:00, Fridays & Saturdays: 11:00-22:00
    Closed
    Mondays, Tuesdays

    Walk about 2 minutes

  17. DAY.317:00

    Depart from Kotohira Sando Entrance

    The three-day journey comes to an end.
    On previous visits, it was only about walking the shrine steps.
    This time, scenery closer to everyday life was certainly found here.