A short detour off the main climb to Konpira-san leads to the Shoin, an Edo-period reception hall designated a National Treasure for its fusuma — sliding-screen paintings — by Maruyama Ōkyo. The most famous panels show tigers and cranes; some of the tigers' faces have been used as the model for countless later Japanese depictions of the animal, which is striking when you remember that Ōkyo had never seen one in person.
The hall is open to visitors with a small additional admission. The unpainted timber and tatami construction is itself worth seeing, and the screens are viewable in their original architectural setting rather than as removed museum pieces. Closed during occasional restoration work; check at the shrine office before climbing.