Konpira Udon Sando Store (formerly Sakuraya Ryokan)

Konpira Udon Sando-ten (Former Sakuraya Ryokan): A Registered Tangible Cultural Property on the Kotohira Pilgrimage Road

Nestled on a prominent corner along the eastern approach to Kotohira-gu Shrine in Kagawa Prefecture, Konpira Udon Sando-ten occupies one of the most historically significant buildings in the town of Kotohira. Originally built as the Sakuraya Ryokan during the early Meiji period, this two-story wooden structure has been repurposed as an authentic Sanuki udon restaurant, offering visitors a rare opportunity to dine inside a nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Here, the flavors of Shikoku's most celebrated noodle tradition merge with the architectural heritage of one of Japan's most beloved pilgrimage destinations.

History and Cultural Significance

The building that houses Konpira Udon Sando-ten was constructed in the early Meiji era (1868–1911) as a traditional Japanese inn called Sakuraya Ryokan. It served pilgrims and travelers making their way to Kotohira-gu Shrine, one of Japan's most popular pilgrimage sites. The shrine, affectionately known as "Konpira-san," has drawn visitors from across the nation for centuries, and the town of Kotohira developed as a thriving monzen-machi (temple town) to accommodate them. Inns, teahouses, and souvenir shops lined the approach roads, creating a vibrant townscape that persists to this day.

On March 18, 2003, the former Sakuraya Ryokan was officially registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Registration Number 37-0156) by the Japanese government. The registration was granted under the criterion of contributing to the historical landscape of the nation. The building was recognized for retaining fine architectural details characteristic of ryokan construction, despite its conversion into a restaurant, and for its role as a key element in the scenic composition of the eastern approach to Kotohira-gu Shrine.

Why Was It Designated a Cultural Property?

The designation of the former Sakuraya Ryokan as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property reflects its importance in preserving Japan's architectural heritage and historical landscape. According to the official record from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the building stands on a corner lot facing streets to the south and east, with its main facade oriented southward in the hirairi style. The two-story wooden structure features a san-gawara (flat tile) roof with an irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) form on the eastern side and a kirizuma-zukuri (gable) form on the western side.

Although the interior was renovated for use as a restaurant, the building preserves notable original features, including ornamental floral carvings on the second-floor koran (high railing), which are characteristic of traditional ryokan architecture. These details, combined with the building's prominent location on the pilgrimage road, make it a valuable component of the Kotohira historic townscape. The Registered Tangible Cultural Property system was established in 1996 to protect significant modern-era buildings that might otherwise be lost to urban development, and this building stands as an excellent example of adaptive reuse that honors architectural heritage.

Architectural Highlights and Atmosphere

Stepping inside Konpira Udon Sando-ten is like entering a time capsule of Japan's hospitality traditions. The restaurant seats approximately 100 guests across table seating and traditional tatami-floored areas, accommodating visitors of all ages. The interior features tables crafted from zelkova (keyaki) and Japanese horse chestnut (tochi) wood, paired with wooden chairs that complement the building's historic character. The warm tones of aged timber and the dignified atmosphere of the former inn create a dining experience unlike any modern establishment.

Adding an extra layer of regional authenticity, the restaurant uses custom-made tableware from Tobe-yaki kilns in neighboring Ehime Prefecture. The bowls, teacups, plates, and rice bowls were specially commissioned to evoke the spirit of Konpira. Every detail, from the hand-selected materials to the traditional architecture, works in harmony to transport diners to an earlier era of Japanese travel and hospitality.

The Udon: A Living Culinary Tradition

Konpira Udon has been serving handmade Sanuki udon for over 65 years, drawing on time-honored techniques passed down through generations. The restaurant uses premium wheat flour, local Konpira water, and salt from the Seto Inland Sea to create noodles entirely on-site. The traditional process begins with a high-hydration dough that undergoes kneading, foot-treading, resting, and shaping over a full day and night.

The finished dough is stretched at the front of the shop using the traditional sukashi-uchi method, a precise eight-step hand-stretching technique that produces perfectly square sheets. The noodles are then cut by knife, with thickness adjusted seasonally — slightly thinner in summer and a bit thicker in winter. Finally, they are boiled in large 200-liter kettles to achieve that signature Sanuki udon texture: firm edges, satisfying chewiness, and a clean bite.

Popular menu items include shoyu udon (noodles drizzled with a special soy-based sauce), bukake udon, and tempura udon featuring seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. The restaurant's udon-suki hot pot, a rarity among udon shops, is another highlight, allowing diners to enjoy rich seafood broth infused with the flavors of the noodles.

Kotohira and the Konpira Pilgrimage

Kotohira-gu Shrine, the spiritual heart of the town, has a history spanning over 1,000 years. Enshrining Omono-nushi-no-kami, the deity of maritime safety, the shrine sits on the slopes of Mt. Zozu and draws approximately four million visitors annually. The pilgrimage is famous for its long stone stairway — 785 steps to the main sanctuary and 1,368 steps to the inner shrine (Oku-sha) — lined with historic buildings, souvenir shops, and cultural landmarks.

Kotohira is also considered a birthplace of udon culture. According to tradition, the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) brought udon-making techniques from Tang Dynasty China some 1,200 years ago. A folding screen painting in the Kotohira-gu collection, known as the Konpira Festival Screen, depicts townspeople making and selling udon, providing early evidence of commercial udon production in the area. The tradition of Sanuki udon was then carried across Japan by pilgrims returning home from their Konpira visit.

Nearby Attractions

The area surrounding Konpira Udon Sando-ten offers a wealth of cultural and historical experiences for visitors.

• Kotohira-gu Shrine (Konpira-san): The main attraction of the town, featuring Important Cultural Properties including the Shoin (study hall) with paintings by Maruyama Okyo and the striking Asahi-sha (Sunrise Hall). The main sanctuary buildings were designated as Important Cultural Properties in 2024.
• Kanamaruza (Former Konpira Grand Theater): Japan's oldest surviving kabuki theater, built in 1835 and designated as an Important Cultural Property. The annual Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Festival draws renowned actors each spring.
• Kinryo no Sato: A sake museum housed in a historic brewery facing the pilgrimage road, showcasing Edo-period brewing tools and the culture of Japanese sake.
• Konpira Onsen: The town's hot spring district offers relaxation after the shrine climb, with several ryokan and foot bath facilities along the approach road.
• Shikoku Mura (Open Air Museum): Located in nearby Takamatsu, this museum preserves over 30 traditional buildings from across Shikoku, providing deeper context for the region's architectural heritage.