Kagawa｜Special treatment for the five people and delicious and fun Wasanbon ice cream

According to official statistics, Kotohira Shrine attracts four million pilgrims and tourists every year. This huge business opportunity has brought prosperity to Kotohira Town and also made the business development of the shrine very active. Originally, stalls were not allowed within the Kotohira-gu Shrine, but at several locations inside, people could be seen hanging signs with the words "Five Common People" on them, putting up parasols and using red tablecloths, doing business in the realm of gods. This is a "special existence" that has existed since the Kamakura period. The five umbrellas represent the families that contributed to the construction of Konhira-gu Shrine. They were granted permission to sell "Kamiyo-amme" in the territory. This is a fan-shaped candy with a yuzu scent. It must be broken with a hammer and shared before eating, symbolizing the blessing of God. On the approach to the shrine, there are also shops owned by five common people. It is worth mentioning the Toraya Annex on the approach to the shrine, which is a Japanese-style inn built in the late Edo period. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko once stayed here when they were crown princes. Another inn, Shikishima-kan, also has a century-old history. It was founded in the late Meiji period and was bought by a chain group after it went bankrupt. It has now been converted into a hot spring hotel. Another interesting thing is that Sanuki Province is not only famous for udon noodles, but also for Wasanbon sugar. The soft serve ice cream shops here are very creative and will give you a pack of colorful Wasanbon sugar balls in addition to the soft serve ice cream. You can decide how much and how to add them yourself, and if you can’t finish them, you can take the sugar balls home. 📍Address: Kotohira, Nakatado District, Kagawa 766-0000 Japan 🚗JR Kotohira Station or Kotoden Kotohira Station, 13 minutes walk #AprilGoodDestinations2025