Kagawa Prefecture · Shikoku

Michi-no-Eki Kotohiki

道の駅ことひき

Link the hilltop view of the giant coin-shaped sand drawing, the pine grove, and the Coin Museum in one visit. On Kanonji's coast, a short roadside stop can become a small outing.

Updated 2026-10-01Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Location

Kanonji City

Road

Kagawa Prefectural Route 21, Marugame–Takuma–Toyohama Line

Hours

9:00–17:00

Approximate hours for the World Coin Museum and shop area. Retail, light food, bicycle rentals, and nearby facilities have different operating days and reception hours; check the day's official information.

Parking

Cars: 70 / Large vehicles: 3

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How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

First, get oriented

Parking, restrooms, and official notices

Before walking through Kotohiki Park, check opening hours, closed days, and any festival or traffic restrictions.

For sightseeing

Zenigata sand drawing and World Coin Museum

See the viewpoint first on a clear day; in rain or heat, start with the Coin Museum and shop.

For food

Cafe & Food Shu (集) and the Kanakuma Mochi area

Choose between a light bite at the station and a drive for mochi rice cakes and udon noodles.

For shopping

Kanonji souvenirs and seaside goods

Choose them after seeing the Zenigata sand drawing, and your purchases may feel more like keepsakes from the trip.

For a break

Pine grove, Ariake Beach, and Kotohiki Kairo

The midsummer sun is strong. Keep outdoor walks short and leave time to retreat to the hot spring or indoors.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kotohiki stands at the entrance to Kotohiki Park, bringing together the World Coin Museum, Kanonji City General Community Center, local products, and light food. Use the parking area and restrooms as a starting point, then add the view of the Zenigata sand drawing, the breeze at Ariake Beach, Kanakuma Mochi and local souvenirs, or a hot-spring bath as your energy allows. In summer, plan around the coastal heat and parking; on festival days, check traffic restrictions; on rainy days, focus on the Coin Museum and shop. A michi-no-eki is a roadside rest stop with local facilities.

#Zenigata sand drawing
#Kotohiki Park
#World Coin Museum
#Ariake Beach
#Kanakuma Mochi
#Rental bicycles

Practical information

Registration number: 香川-03
Prefecture: Kagawa Prefecture
Municipality: Kanonji City
Road: Kagawa Prefectural Route 21, Marugame–Takuma–Toyohama Line
Telephone: 0875-24-2150
Closed days: The World Coin Museum and Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Museum close for the year-end and New Year holidays, December 29–January 1; Kanonji City General Community Center closes December 29–January 3. Check official notices for temporary changes.
Station stamp: Available

Address

3-37 Ariake-cho, Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture (香川県観音寺市有明町3-37)

Facilities

Parking
Restrooms
World Coin Museum
Kanonji City General Community Center
Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Museum
Shop
Farm-direct market
Cafe & Food Shu (集)
Tourist information
Rental bicycles
Public telephone
Kotohiki Park

1 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)kanonji-kanko.jp (Japanese guide)kanonji-kanko.jp (Japanese guide)kanonji-kanko.jp (Japanese guide)kanonji-kanko.jp (Japanese guide)michinoeki-kotohiki.com (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Step outside the roadside station and Kanonji's main attractions are close by

Kotohiki is more rewarding when you explore beyond its buildings. After parking and using the restrooms, a short visit to Kotohiki Park, the Zenigata sand drawing, and Ariake Beach brings you to scenery characteristic of Kanonji.

The Coin Museum and Zenigata sand drawing make an easy story for children

After seeing coins from around the world at the World Coin Museum, view the sand drawing of a Kan'ei Tsuho coin from the hill above. It gives children something to discuss beyond the view; the pairing is especially memorable for elementary school children and older visitors. Kan'ei Tsuho was a historical Japanese coin.

Keep meal plans flexible with shopping and sweets as alternatives

Light food, souvenirs, sweets in the Kanakuma Mochi area, and a nearby hot spring offer options if you arrive at the lunchtime peak or on a facility's closed day.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

A first visit on a clear day

See the Zenigata sand drawing first, then cool off at the station

On arrival, use the restrooms, then head to the Zenigata viewpoint before the heat builds. Return to the World Coin Museum or shop afterward; even a short visit will feel distinctly Kanonji.

Parking → restrooms → Zenigata sand drawing viewpoint → World Coin Museum → shop and light food.

Conditions around the viewpoint change with the weather and roads. In rain or strong wind, skip the walk and spend more time indoors.

Families with elementary school children; a break on a long drive

Link the Coin Museum, pine grove, and sweets on a short family outing

For elementary school children, seeing coins from around the world at the museum before the sand drawing gives you more to talk about. With preschoolers, a short walk through the pine grove or by the sea, followed by sweets or a drink, may work better than a long museum visit.

Station → Coin Museum → short walk through the pine grove → Cafe & Food Shu (集) or the Kanakuma Mochi area.

In midsummer around Ariake Beach, find shade and bring water. With a stroller, keep the outing short and avoid steps and sand.

A coastal drive when the weather turns

On a rainy day, choose indoor stops and the hot spring

In rain, do not plan the day around a perfect view of the Zenigata sand drawing. Rest at the World Coin Museum, the shop, and nearby Kotohiki Kairo hot spring instead. Keeping nearby restaurants and the hot spring in mind makes meals easier than depending solely on the station.

Station → World Coin Museum → shop → Kotohiki Kairo.

Facilities have different closed days; check official information before setting out on Mondays or during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Swimming, the Zenigata Festival, and summer in Kanonji

For summer at Ariake Beach and festival days, choose your time carefully

Ariake Beach and Kotohiki Park are appealing in summer, but heat, parking, and traffic restrictions change how easy they are to use. Walk outside in the cooler morning or evening; spend midday indoors, eating, or at the hot spring to conserve energy.

Morning at Ariake Beach → break at the station → Coin Museum or hot spring → park in the evening.

On festival or fireworks days, allow for restrictions on nearby roads, parking delays, and restroom queues.

Hours

Opening hours

World Coin Museum and shop

9:00〜17:00

The World Coin Museum is open 9:00–17:00, with last admission to the exhibition rooms at 16:30. Arrive before 16:30 if you plan to see the exhibits. A combined ticket for the Coin Museum and Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Museum costs ¥300 for adults and ¥150 for elementary and junior high school students.

Cafe & Food Shu (集)

Generally open during the day

Check the day's notices and official information for meals and sweets. Allow extra time if visiting at lunchtime.

Rental bicycles

Check facility information for reception hours

An option for a short circuit of Kotohiki Park, central Kanonji, and Ariake Beach.

Closed days

Year-end and New Year holidays

The World Coin Museum and Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Museum close December 29–January 1; Kanonji City General Community Center closes December 29–January 3. Check the latest official and tourism association notices for temporary changes.

Family

Visiting with children

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Age 1 or younger

★★★☆☆

Works best if you use the restrooms and take a short break first.

Sun and wind affect walks by the sea or to the viewpoint. Frequent breaks indoors, at the shop, or in the car make things easier.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Good for a brief change of scene in the pine grove or park.

Keep the Coin Museum visit short, avoid sand and road crossings, and finish before children tire.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

You can look for the sand drawing, see the sea, and pause for sweets.

On hot days, walk outside in the morning or evening and spend midday at the Coin Museum or hot spring to reduce fatigue.

Elementary school age

★★★★★

The World Coin Museum and Zenigata sand drawing make a good conversation starter.

Coins, history, the viewpoint, and the shore together make a short detour feel like a social studies outing.

After parking

Decide where to return before walking to the viewpoint or beach; this makes outings with children easier.

On hot days

Ariake Beach, the sand, and the viewpoint are exposed to the sun. Bring drinks and hats before setting out.

On rainy days

Rather than insisting on the view, switch to the museum, shop, and hot spring.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

1
Park conveniently near the station
Walking distances in Kotohiki Park can grow quickly, so start by locating the restrooms and choosing where to return.
2
Add the viewpoint only in good weather
The Zenigata sand drawing is most satisfying on a clear day; in rain or strong wind, indoor stops are more comfortable.
3
Finish your break at the hot spring
At Kotohiki Kairo, you can sit and recover after walking outdoors.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.

Checking event dates.

Spaces used for events

Kotohiki Park

Cherry blossoms, pine groves, the Zenigata sand drawing, and festival crowds all meet here. On event days, check parking and traffic restrictions first.

Ariake Beach

A destination for swimming, sunsets, and seaside walks. In summer, account for heat, sand, and wind and keep the visit short.

World Coin Museum

An indoor attraction less affected by weather. It gives you a nearby destination even on a rainy day.

Central Kanonji

Connects to the Zenigata Festival, restaurants, souvenirs, and rental bicycles. Allow more time than for an ordinary rest stop on event days.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Kotohiki Park adds more to a visit than the station alone

Travel accounts and reviews suggest visitors enjoy combining the shop with the Zenigata sand drawing, pine grove, and Ariake Beach more than visiting the shop alone. Even with little time, stepping outside can change the experience.

The viewpoint and weather change how the Zenigata drawing looks

The sand drawing is easier to appreciate from above than at ground level. Cloud, rain, and the time after sunset change its appearance, so see it outdoors while the weather is clear.

It is easier when meals are not limited to the station

At lunchtime, light food and nearby restaurants can be crowded. Keep the Kanakuma Mochi area, central Kanonji, and Kotohiki Kairo as alternatives so a wait for food does not stall your plans.

Summer brings both seaside appeal and heat

Ariake Beach and the pine grove are attractive in summer, but sun, sand, wind, and parking congestion matter too. Walk outside in the morning or evening and switch to indoor stops or the hot spring at midday.

Coins and the sand drawing engage children

For elementary school children and older visitors, seeing coins before the Kan'ei Tsuho sand drawing helps connect the experience to local history. For preschoolers, a short walk and a sweets break may work better than a museum visit.

On festival days, plan a visit rather than a quick rest stop

On days such as the Zenigata Festival, parking, traffic restrictions, and restroom waits differ from usual. Set aside time from the start rather than treating the stop as a quick break en route.

Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

If you want to see the Zenigata sand drawing, visit the viewpoint first while the weather is clear.
Most scheduled closures are around the year-end and New Year holidays, but the dates differ by facility and temporary changes occur; check official information before departure.
Summer sun is strong at Ariake Beach and the pine grove. Plan drinks, hats, and a short visit before setting out.
Keep station light food, the Kanakuma Mochi area, and Kotohiki Kairo in mind as meal options so lunchtime does not disrupt your plans.
On festival and fireworks days, allow for traffic restrictions and waits for parking rather than expecting an ordinary rest stop.
With elementary school children, pair the World Coin Museum with the sand drawing to give the scenery a story.

Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

Food at the station
Light food and sweets at Cafe & Food Shu (集)
An option for a short break before or after walking in the park
Nearby dining
Mochi and udon in the Kanakuma Mochi area
A drive to add a more substantial Kanonji-style meal
Shopping
Kanonji souvenirs and local products
Items to take home after the Zenigata viewpoint or a seaside walk
Break
Drinks and a light refreshment
Prepare for the heat before walking to Ariake Beach or the viewpoint

Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

Take a light break at the station

Light food, drinks, and sweets at Cafe & Food Shu (集)

A place to sit briefly and recharge before or after the park or viewpoint.

Check the day's notices and official information for serving hours and closures.

Take a taste of Kanonji home

Zenigata-themed souvenirs, local sweets, and coastal products

Shopping after the viewpoint can turn a purchase into a memory of the trip.

Go farther for a meal

Mochi rice cakes and udon in the Kanakuma Mochi area; restaurants in central Kanonji

Useful when a light station snack is not enough or you want a full lunch.

Popular places can be busy at lunchtime; leave room to adjust your arrival time.

Refresh in hot weather

Drinks, cold sweets, and an indoor break

Stop before or after walking to Ariake Beach or the viewpoint to avoid overheating.

Pair the visit with a hot spring

Food and bathing at Kotohiki Kairo; souvenirs from the station shop

A combination for rainy days or evenings when you would rather rest than walk outside.

Check official information for the hot spring's operating days, prices, and crowding.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station

Michi-no-Eki Kotohiki

Link the hilltop view of the giant coin-shaped sand drawing, the pine grove, and the Coin Museum in one visit. On Kanonji's coast, a short roadside stop can become a small outing.

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Viewpoint and historical walk

Kotohiki Park and Zenigata Sand Drawing

The sand drawing of a Kan’ei Tsuho coin and the pine grove give you a compelling reason to stop at Kotohiki. Kan’ei Tsuho was a historical Japanese coin.

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Coast and seasonal walks

Ariake Beach

Beyond the pine grove, this seaside stop feels different in summer and at sunset.

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Hot spring, food, and rest

Kotohiki Kairo (琴弾廻廊)

A seaside bathing facility where you can rest over a meal and a bath after walking outdoors.

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Meals and sweets

Kanakuma Mochi Fukuda (かなくま餅福田)

For a fuller Kanonji meal beyond the station’s light food, drive here for mochi rice cakes and udon noodles.