Nokami hachimangu
Parking available
Ogawa hachimangu
This shrine is located at the starting point of the Oishi Hiking Course.
It was built as an auxiliary shrine to Iwashimizu Hachimangu in Kyoto.
The main god enshrined here, Hondawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ojin) gives blessings that include warding off evil, warding off bad luck, convalescence, fortune of family, triumph, and more.
Why not pray for safety before you set off on your hike?
Jusan jinja
Many gods are enshrined here, including Kunitokotachi no Mikoto, the god who protects the land.
Within the precincts stand Niu Shrine, Wakamiya Hachimangu, Kotai Shrine, Kumano Shrine, Hijiri Shrine, Ebisu Shrine, and Hankon Shrine, and three of the shrines, including the main shrine, Niu Shrine, and Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine, are designated as important national cultural properties.
Behold the beautiful main shrine painted in red.
You can receive an amulet on New Year's Day.
Shigano Niu jinja
Niutsuhime no Mikoto, whose divine favors include sound health, youth and longevity, agriculture, and sericulture, is enshrined here.
During the Autumn Festival, a total of 90 kodomo mikoshi (child palaquins) color the season brightly in Shigano.
They recruit children every year to help carry the palanquin, so why not participate and create a great memory for your child?
For more information, call 090-1028-3590 and ask for Akasaka.
Makuni Niu jinja
A shrine said to have been built in 1536.
Niutsuhime no Mikoto, whose divine favors include sound health, youth and longevity, agriculture, and sericulture, is enshrined here.
In recent years, events and celebrations are being held in cooperation with Lyra Creative Arts School.
The nearly extinct "Onda no Mai" (a traditional dance) was revived with the full force of the students, and is performed at the Onda Festival on the 7th day of the New Year month of the lunar calendar (around February). Watch as this solemn dance is performed in the forest around the shrine.
Kumano jinja
A shrine connected to the general and shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro of the early Heian period.
The gods enshrined here, Izanami no Mikoto, Hayatamao no Mikoto, and Ukanomitama no Mikoto, give blessings of safety of family, abundant harvest, and warding off bad luck.
On the precincts, find the "Shogun Sakura", a cherry tree said to have been planted by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro himself (currently in its 4th generation), as well as "Shogun Tsuka", said to be the largest Hokyoin Pagoda in the prefecture (a prefectural designated cultural property).
Also, be greeted by the two spectacular giant cedar trees known as "Fu-fu Sugi" (The Couple Cedars).
Niu kariba jinja
The enshrined gods here are Niutsuhimime no Mikoto, whose divine favors include sound health, youth and longevity, agriculture, and sericulture, and Takanomiko no Mikoto, whose divine favor is to bring good luck.
Nearby stands Tachiiwa-san, a big boulder standing in Kishigawa River.
Hasemiya Niu jinja
Parking available
The goddess enshrined here is Niutsuhimi no Mikoto, whose blessings include sound health, youth and longevity, agriculture, and sericulture.
The giant gingko tree on the precincts is estimated to be over 600 years old and is, in a word, magnificent. It has been designated as a prefectural cultural property.
There was a magnificent pair of "Couple Cedars" (Fu-Fu Sugi), but one was felled in the No. 7 typhoon of 1998.
Although both trees were removed out of necessity, the roots of the tree that didn't fall are now worshipped as "the Unfelled Cedar" (Korobanai Sugi).
Kotohira jinja
Kotohira Shrine is said to have been ceremonially transferred from Kotopira-gu Shrine in Sanuki, but the god enshrined at Kotopira-gu, Omononushi, is different from the god enshrined here. It is a mysterious shrine that calls to mind a hidden history.
Hebiiwa daimyojin
Parking available
This shrine worships the serpent god said to be connected with Kobo Daishi.
It is said that, by offering the serpent god its favorite food, raw eggs, your wish will be granted.
Definitely pay a visit on New Year celebration , when they cook o-zoni.
Have a look at the youthful votive drawings known as “ema” drawn by local high school students.
It is said that they began worshiping the god of Aki no Miyashima Shrine about 1200 years ago through a revelation in a dream.
This shrine is dedicated to Kotohira Daigogen.
On the precincts, there is a giant male Katsura tree said to be over 500 years old.
Shoseki jinja
Onamuchi no Mikoto, a god of nation-building, agriculture, business, medicine, and marriage, as well as Sukuhikona no Mikoto, a god who helps with nation-building, are enshrined here.
Be overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the giant rock towering behind the main shrine!
The natural forests around the shrine have been designated as a natural monument by the prefecture.
Since this shrine is along the Oishi Hiking Course, why not pay a visit while you're having fun hiking?
Tachi-iwa san
This is the giant boulder that suddenly appears in the middle of Kishigawa River, commonly known as Tachi-iwa San (Standing Rock).
It is said that the god of hunting went out to kill a boar that was devastating the village, but was counter-attacked and chased onto a boulder lying on the river. He then commanded the rock to stand up, and when it did, he was able to take down the boar.
While it is a rather mysterious story, you'll be convinced when you see the way the rock is standing.
There is no parking nearby, so please be considerate of your surroundings when visiting.
The Emperor Ojin (Hodawake no Mikoto), whose divine favors include warding off evil spirits, warding off bad luck, fortune of family, convalescence, and certain victory, is enshrined here.
There are many small shrines called setsumatsusha worshiped here, and the five buildings, including the main shrine and hall of worship, are designated as important cultural properties.
Along with the autumn festival and and o-watari festival, there is chigo watari (procession of sacred children), in which children dressed up in colorful chigo costumes liven up the festival. Those wishing to participate in chigo watari should inquire from late September to early October.