Kanonji: The Zenigata Sand Coin, Takaya Shrine’s ‘Torii in the Sky’ and Temples 68 & 69 (2026 Access Update)

Quick answer: Kanonji, in western Kagawa, has three well-known sights. The Zenigata sand coin is a giant old coin, 122 m across, drawn in the sand of Ariake Beach — see it from the lookout on Mt Kotohiki. Takaya Shrine’s “torii in the sky” stands at the top of Mt Inazumi (404 m). And Temples 68 and 69 of the Shikoku pilgrimage share one precinct. Important: until 25 December 2026, the road up to Takaya Shrine is closed and the weekend shuttle is suspended. The only way up is on foot from the lower shrine, about 50 minutes.

I live in Tokushima. In Kanonji I’ve seen the Zenigata sand coin from the lookout, visited Takaya Shrine’s torii in the sky, and been to Kotohiki Hachimangu and Temples 68 and 69. Here’s how to see all three, with the latest access rules.

The Zenigata sand coin

I’ve seen the sand coin from the observation deck.

What it is

Zenigata-suna-e is a huge drawing of an old coin, the Kan’ei Tsuho, made in the white sand of Ariake Beach in Kotohiki Park.

• Size: 122 m east to west, 90 m north to south, and 345 m around. It’s an oval.
• Legend: it was made overnight to welcome a domain lord.
• Good luck: seeing it is said to bring good health, a long life and no money worries.

Where to see it

The best view is from the Zenigata observation deck at the top of Mt Kotohiki.

• By car: take the park drive. There’s a tunnel, so vehicles must be under 3 m high and 2.1 m wide (no medium or large buses).
• On foot: the footpath takes about 15 minutes one way. You can also climb from the stone steps of Kotohiki Hachimangu.
• Parking: free, at the summit, in front of Yokujitsukan, and east of Ariake Ground.

Light-up

• Every night, from sunset to 22:00. It’s usually green, and sometimes gold or blue for a limited time.
• Note: the city says the observation-deck lighting is currently out because of a fault. Check before you go.

Sand reshaping (suna-zarae)

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the coin is reshaped. It’s the only chance to step inside the drawing, whose lines are about 2 m deep.

• Autumn 2026: Saturday 31 October, 9:00 to about 11:00 (reception from 8:30, parking at Ariake Ground).
• No booking needed. It’s cancelled if it rains — the city announces this on its website by 7:00 that morning.
• The spring date hasn’t been confirmed, so check the city site.

Access

About 5 minutes (2 km) by taxi from JR Kanonji Station. The Kanonji community bus runs 4 times a day.

Takaya Shrine: the torii in the sky

I’ve been to Takaya Shrine and its “torii in the sky”. The upper shrine sits at the top of Mt Inazumi (404 m). It was chosen as one of the Shikoku 88 Scenic Spots in 2018.

Until 25 December 2026: walk only

• The forest road to the upper shrine is fully closed from 28 September to 25 December 2026 for slope repairs.
• The weekend shuttle bus is suspended for the same period.
• The upper-shrine car park can’t be used.
• The only way up is on foot from the lower shrine (shimonomiya) — about 50 minutes. About 270 steep stone steps lead up to the upper shrine.
• The city will announce December arrangements once a reopening date is set.

Normal rules (once the road reopens)

• Shuttle bus: on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, peak holidays and New Year, from Ariake Ground car park (60 free spaces).
• Fare: ¥1,500 for adults, return (one way costs the same). ¥700 for children and disabled passengers.
• Tickets: from the machine at the Kanonji Tourism Association (3-37 Ariake-cho). ¥1,000 notes only, on sale from 9:00, no booking.
• While the shuttle runs, private cars can’t use the forest road.
• On days without the shuttle, cars can normally use the upper car park. It’s about 150 m of steep slope from the shrine.

Check the city website for the latest before you go.

Lower shrine: parking and access

• Parking: about 40 cars at the lower shrine, plus a second car park 250 m before it (about 40 cars).
• By car: about 14 minutes from Kanonji Smart IC, 15 minutes from Sanuki-Toyonaka IC, or 18 minutes from Onohara IC.
• By taxi: about 13 minutes from JR Kanonji Station.

See Driving in Rural Shikoku.

Kotohiki Hachimangu and Temples 68 & 69

I’ve been to Kotohiki Hachimangu and the two temples.

• Temple 68 Jinne-in and Temple 69 Kanonji share one precinct on the slope of Mt Kotohiki — a rare case of two pilgrimage temples in one place.
• Kanonji temple began as the shrine-temple (jingu-ji) of Kotohiki Hachimangu.
• When Shinto and Buddhism were separated in the Meiji era, Jinne-in moved into the grounds of Kanonji.
• From Kotohiki Hachimangu’s stone steps, you can also climb to the Zenigata observation deck.

New to the pilgrimage? See The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Temples 1–23 in Tokushima.

Getting to Kanonji

Without a car, you can take a taxi from JR Kanonji Station: about 5 minutes to the sand coin area and about 13 minutes to Takaya Shrine’s lower shrine. See Renting a Car in Shikoku.

Nearby

• Chichibugahama is in neighbouring Mitoyo City, not Kanonji.
• Ibukijima, an island that’s part of Kanonji, is one of Japan’s leading producers of iriko (dried anchovies). The season runs about three months, June to August. It will also be an autumn venue of the 2028 Setouchi Triennale.
• Elsewhere in Kagawa, see Zentsuji Temple, Konpira-san and Marugame, plus Kagawa in 2 Days and How to Order Sanuki Udon.

FAQ

Can I drive up to the torii in the sky now?
No. Until 25 December 2026 the forest road is closed and the shuttle is suspended. Walk up from the lower shrine — about 50 minutes.

When is the Zenigata sand coin lit up?
Every night from sunset to 22:00. The observation-deck lights are out because of a fault at the moment, so check before you go.

Can I walk on the sand coin?
Only during the sand reshaping, held in spring and autumn. Autumn 2026 is on 31 October.

Are Temples 68 and 69 in the same place?
Yes. Jinne-in (68) and Kanonji (69) share one precinct on Mt Kotohiki.

Access rules, fees and event dates checked on the Kanonji City website and other sources on 28 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.