Kotohira-gu, better known as Konpira-san, links a long mountain pilgrimage with a street of shops, sweets and udon. There are 785 steps from the approach to the main shrine and 1,368 to the inner shrine. The climb is more than a staircase: it passes shrines, historic buildings and resting points. That makes meal timing useful. A hands-on class before the climb takes about an hour, while Tentekomai is a straightforward place to refuel after coming back down.
At Nakano Udon School, the experience starts with flour and salted water: visitors knead the dough, step on it to music, roll it out and cut the noodles. The school advertises a class of about 50 minutes, with the option to take the noodles home or eat them afterward. The listed price is ¥1,760 per person, with a minimum of two participants. Kotohira has two school buildings, A and B; the operator says each entrance displays the day’s class time and location. Confirm your building when booking, arrive 15 minutes early and remember that same-day participation depends on availability.
Tentekomai offers a less formal meal: self-service udon in an old building along the shrine approach. It serves Sanuki noodles in styles such as shoyu, beef, bukkake and garlic curry, with optional toppings. Visitors often praise the springy noodles, dried-sardine broth and affordable prices; some find the fried toppings inconsistent. This is not the cooking class: order at the counter, collect your bowl and eat before continuing the climb or the town walk.
Both venues are about a ten-minute walk from JR Kotohira and Kotoden Kotohira stations, with the shrine approach nearby. The school has a set price and duration; Tentekomai may close early when it sells out. The 785 steps to the main shrine are a substantial climb, and the inner shrine adds another 583, so plan more than a quick stop. For a first visit, an early class followed by the shrine and a simple bowl on the way back gives the day a natural rhythm. Book the experience and confirm the correct building first.
Profiles of the recommended places: Nakano Udon School Kotohira A · Tentekomai Kotohira
Choose between making noodles before the climb and eating a quick bowl on the shrine approach afterward. In Kotohira, treat the class and restaurant as separate stops, and plan around the stairs and opening times.
Restaurants to compare
These restaurants match the question. Check menus, prices and recent reviews before visiting.
Nakano Udon School Kotohira A
796 Kotohira, Kotohira-cho, Nakatado District, Kagawa 766-0001, Japan
Nakano Udon School’s A building is at 796 Kotohira, a short distance from the street leading uphill to Konpira-san. This is not a demonstration to watch: visitors knead flour and salted water, step on the dough, roll it out and cut the noodles. The operator describes a class of about 50 minutes and
Sanuki udon-making experience
Tentekomai Kotohira
717 Kotohira, Kotohira-cho, Nakatado District, Kagawa 766-0001, Japan
Tentekomai occupies a historic building on the approach to Kotohira-gu and belongs to the Nakanoya group. Its straightforward scale reflects the rhythm of the monzenmachi: pilgrims, families and day-trippers stop for udon before taking on the steps or after coming back down. The operator describes t
Sanuki udon
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Nakano Udon School Kotohira A ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nakano Udon School Kotohira A ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Nakano Udon School Kotohira A ↗
Primary source
Mitoyo Tourism and Exchange Authority · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tentekomai Kotohira ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tentekomai Kotohira ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official access page · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Kotohira Marugoto Navi / Konpira Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Mitoyo Tourism and Exchange Authority · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Nakano Udon School official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Exact Building A Google reviews ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact Kotohira A-building listing shows 4.1/5 from 343 Google reviews; not attributed to B or Takamatsu campus. Checked 2026-10-12.
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Exact Tentekomai Google reviews ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact restaurant card shows 3.9/5 from 762 Google reviews; Tripadvisor is separately 4.1/30. Checked 2026-10-12.
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Exact Nakano Udon School Kotohira A Google reviews ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact A-building listing displays 4.1/5 from 343 Google reviews; do not apply it to B or Takamatsu branches. Checked 2026-10-12.
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Exact Tentekomai Kotohira Google reviews ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact Tentekomai listing displays 3.9/5 from 762 Google reviews; checked 2026-10-12.