Phone support is in Japanese. Ask your hotel front desk to call for you — it's a common request.
Kotobus MX Inc.
"Once in a lifetime, everyone should visit Konpira." But the Main Sanctuary (Gohongū) sits at the top of 785 stone steps — and so many visitors give up on the pilgrimage because they don't trust their legs to carry them there.
Families feel it too: "We'd love to take Grandma and Grandpa up… but all those steps."
Don't worry. For the climb to Konpira, there's the Mountain Shuttle.
The shuttle picks you up anywhere in Kotohira town and drives a dedicated road straight to the Omon Gate, just below step 365. That means the toughest stretch of the first half — the steep Ichi-no-saka slope from step 113 to step 365 — is covered entirely by car.
So there's no need to give up. Go at your own pace, as far as your legs will happily take you.
The road to the Omon Gate is closed to ordinary vehicles — private cars and taxis cannot use it. The Mountain Shuttle is the only way to reach the Omon Gate without climbing the stone steps.
No reservation needed. On the day, call +81 877-73-2221 (7:00–19:00) and simply say where you'd like to be picked up. Phone support is in Japanese — asking your hotel front desk to call for you is a common request, and they'll be glad to help.
The shuttle picks up in front of JR Kotohira Station and Kotoden Kotohira Station, as well as at hotels, sightseeing spots and other locations around town. The ride to just below the Omon Gate takes about 10 minutes.
Enjoy the view over the temple town from the Omon Gate before you set off. About 420 steps remain to the Main Sanctuary (Gohongū) — take breaks whenever you like and go at your own pace.
After my knee gave out, I'd given up on ever visiting Konpira again. Thanks to the shuttle, I made the pilgrimage for the first time in 40 years.
Woman in her 70s
Three generations of us went up together, my mother included. The driver waited patiently while we got on and off — it put us all at ease.
Woman in her 50s, with family
Ride up by shuttle, stroll down through the approach streets — that's our recommendation. Lining both sides of the stone steps are candy shops, udon restaurants and souvenir stores: little discoveries reserved for those who walk down.
Worried about the way down? You can take the shuttle back too — board just below the Omon Gate (call to be picked up).
| Fare | ¥1,000 one way (tax included) — pay when you board. Besides cash, major credit cards, e-money and QR code payments are accepted |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00–19:00 (no service Jan 1–3) * Konpira Shrine's gates close at 18:00. After closing time, you can still ride as far as the Omon stop |
| How to ride | No advance booking. On the day, call +81 877-73-2221 and the shuttle will come to pick you up (phone support in Japanese — your hotel front desk can call for you) |
| Pickup points | In front of JR Kotohira Station and Kotoden Kotohira Station, plus hotels, sightseeing spots and anywhere in Kotohira town (just say where you'd like to be picked up when you call) |
| Ride time | Up to about 10 minutes to just below the Omon Gate |
| Operator | Kotobus MX Inc. (Kotohira Bus Group) |
Plenty of ways to pay
and more
No advance booking is needed for up to 4 people. On the day you want to ride, just call and the shuttle will come to pick you up. Phone support is in Japanese, so if you don't speak it, ask your hotel front desk to call for you — it's a common request and staff are used to it. Groups of 5 or more require an advance reservation — please use the reservation inquiry form on this site, or call +81 877-73-2222 in advance.
The shuttle can pick you up anywhere in Kotohira town — in front of JR Kotohira Station or Kotoden Kotohira Station, or at hotels, sightseeing spots and other locations. Just say where you'd like to be picked up when you call.
Your call goes to the reception desk of the operator, Kotobus MX Inc. (Kotohira Bus Group). Reception hours are 7:00–19:00, and reception is in Japanese.
Phone reception is in Japanese. We recommend asking your hotel front desk or a Japanese-speaking companion to call for you — it's a common request, and staff are happy to help. For the ride itself, simply showing this page to the driver works just fine.
Besides cash, you can pay with major credit cards, transit IC cards, and QR code payments such as PayPay (PiTaPa is not accepted).
There are stairs between the shuttle's drop-off point (the Omon stop) and the Omon Gate itself, so unfortunately the shuttle is not well suited to wheelchair users. However, Konpira Shrine (Kotohira-gū) has its own program that allows visitors who have difficulty walking to be driven by taxi or private car to near the Main Sanctuary (Gohongū) — it requires a web reservation via the shrine's official website, accepted up to 6 days before your visit. See the shrine's official Vehicle Access page for details.
Yes, of course. There are a few stairs between the drop-off point and the Omon Gate, so please allow yourself plenty of time and take it slowly.
Yes, as a rule it runs in the rain. In severe weather, or whenever you're unsure whether it's running, please call to check.
Absolutely. Anyone who finds the climb up the stone steps daunting is welcome — families with small children, expectant mothers, and everyone else.
Groups of 5 or more require an advance reservation. Travel agency tours, care-home outings, memorial visits — send us an inquiry with the form below. We will check vehicle availability and reply on Japanese business days, 10:00–17:00 JST.
Reservation inquiry formIn a hurry or riding soon? Call us (Japanese only)
☎ +81 877-73-2222"But the steps…" is no longer
a reason to stay away.
The Mountain Shuttle will carry you to the Omon Gate.
Phone support is in Japanese. Ask your hotel front desk to call for you — it's a common request.
Kotobus MX Inc.
