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Kotohira Travel

Curated Itineraries

Chusan Drive Course [Sunny Day Plan]

3days

On a sunny day, expand your range by car and seamlessly connect forest, satoyama, and castle town in one journey — a drive that lets you experience everyday life in Chūsan, beyond the typical tourist spots.

＼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.

    Walk about 15 minutes

  2. DAY.113:30

    Teuchi Udon Musashi

    Eat curry udon at Teuchi Udon Musashi

    When it comes to Musashi, curry udon is the must-try specialty.

    The rich, dark curry pairs beautifully with firm noodles.
    To enjoy it until the very end, ordering rice is highly recommended.

    While waiting for your udon, enjoy oden, the Kagawa way.
    Dip it in a mildly sweet white miso sauce mixed with mustard — the thick fried tofu is especially unforgettable.

    Name
    Teuchi Udon Musashi
    Address
    637-2 Gojo, Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    10:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00
    Closed
    Mondays, Tuesdays (Open on public holidays; closed on the following weekday. Additional irregular closures may apply.)

    Walk about 15 minutes

  3. DAY.115:00

    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 4 minutes

  4. DAY.116:30

    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

    Walk about 3 minutes

  5. DAY.118:30

    Honey Raizo

    Have 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

    Overnight stay at Kotori Kotohira.

  6. DAY.18:20

    Cafe Terrace Toge

    About 10 minutes by car from Kotori Kotohira, enjoy a traditional breakfast at “Cafe Terrace Touge.”

    A classic café loved for its lightly sweet baked goods and nostalgic atmosphere.

    A traditional kissaten that continues to serve as a gathering place for locals.
    Perfect for enjoying a nostalgic atmosphere.

    When ordering cake, all available cakes are brought out on a plate so you can choose. You may even want to order cake just to see this moment.

    After around 1:30 PM on weekdays, the shop becomes calmer as the daily set meals end. Books packed into a phone booth create a lineup unique to this café.

    Name
    Cafe Terrace Toge
    Address
    2951 Hama, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    7:30-17:00
    Closed
    Fridays & the 2nd Thursday of each month

    Drive about 10 minutes

  7. DAY.211:30

    KITOKURAS cafe

    Relaxed lunch at KITOKURAS cafe in the forest

    A café inspired by living with wood, where nature and daily life gently come together.

    A lumber shop located in a small forest, with a factory and daily goods shop on site.
    The cafe serves authentic Indian curry.

    Name
    KITOKURAS cafe
    Address
    3600-5 Kurikuma-higashi, Ayauta-cho, Marugame City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    10:00-17:00
    Closed
    Thursdays

    Drive about 15 minutes

  8. DAY.214:00

    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

    Drive about 15 minutes

  9. DAY.216:30

    Sabumi Terrace

    Take out a drink at “SUNNYSIDE FIELDS” and enjoy a relaxing coffee break at “Sabumi Terrace.”

    The concept is “a terrace that feels like an extension of everyday life.”

    Head to this hidden rest spot among terraced rice fields.
    In November, cosmos flowers spread across the area, creating a peaceful space away from crowds.

    Name
    Sabumi Terrace
    Address
    380-2 Sabumi, Mannō Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture

    Drive about 30 minutes

  10. DAY.216:30

    Marugame Castle

    Climb the town symbol, Marugame Castle

    A Castle Famous for Japan’s Tallest Stone Walls

    Japan’s smallest surviving original castle tower and its beautiful stone walls are impressive.
    From the keep, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and the town of Marugame.

    Name
    Marugame Castle
    Address
    Ichibancho, Marugame City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    9:00-16:30
    Closed
    No regular closing days. (Temporary closures may occur.)

    Drive about 3 minutes

  11. DAY.219:00

    Sumibiyaki Tori Wakiya

    Enjoy bone-in chicken at Sumibiyaki Tori Wakiya

    A popular spot among locals for bone-in chicken.
    Ordering rice balls and dipping them in the chicken fat is the Marugame style.

    Name
    Sumibiyaki Tori Wakiya
    Address
    11 Torimachi, Marugame City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    17:30-23:00 (Last Order: 22:30)
    Closed
    Sundays, Mondays irregularly

    Drive about 10 minutes

  12. DAY.221:00

    Marugame Pokapoka Onsen

    Soak in deep local vibes at Marugame Pokapoka Onsen

    Refresh yourself in a wide variety of baths.

    A hot spring facility loved by locals, perfect for easing travel fatigue.
    The warmth and openness after a bath during a trip are especially memorable.

    Name
    Marugame Pokapoka Onsen
    Address
    400-1 Yamakita-cho, Marugame City, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    Weekdays: 10:00-25:00, Weekends & Public Holidays: 8:00-25:00
    Closed
    Closed Third Tuesday of each month (If it falls on a public holiday, closed on the fourth Tuesday)

    Overnight stay at Kotori Kotohira.

  13. DAY.35:45

    On the final day, wake up early for morning worship.We heard that a bell rings at the 100th step every morning at 6:00, so we head there at a slightly quicker pace.

    Walk about 7 minutes

  14. DAY.37:00

    Konpira Udon Factory Shop

    Long-awaited morning udon at Konpira Udon Factory Shop

    Freshness straight from the factory gives the noodles their chewy texture and firm bite.

    A place to enjoy freshly made and boiled Sanuki udon with factory-direct freshness.
    If you want morning udon in Kotohira, this is the place.

    Name
    Konpira Udon Factory Shop
    Address
    680 Kotohira Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture
    Opening Hours
    7:00-16:00 (Closes when udon is sold out.)
    Closed
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays

    mobi about 15 minutes

  15. DAY.311:00

    Nomad Manno

    Spend time freely at Nomad Manno

    A hidden countryside retreat in Mannō Town, thoughtfully renovated from a 75-year-old barn.

    A relaxed lunch spot in a renovated barn, hidden in the satoyama.
    As the owner Rui is a saxophonist, you might be lucky enough to hear live music.

    Name
    Nomad Manno
    Address
    493 Mano, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan
    Opening Hours
    11:00-16:00, Night Café 18:00-22:00 (Night Café open only Thu, Fri, Sat)
    Closed
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays

    mobi about 15 minutes

  16. 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.