Hiyoshi Taisha — Attraction in Otsu

The grand shrine of Hiyoshi ( Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine ) is located in an are of Sakamoto in Otsu City of Shiga Prefecture. The shrine is known as the head shrine of approximately 3,800 shrines holding the name of Hiyoshi in Japan. The main object of warship in this place is a deity of Sanno which is the king of mountains. The shrine was built on the eastern hill side of Mt. Hiei which serves itself as a border between Kyoto and Shiga. The famous symbol of Hiyoshi Taisha is a monkey called Masaru which is a messenger of the shrine found in the precincts of 400,000 square meters. The original form of the shrine was built before century in the 7th year of the time of Emperor Sujin which is over 2,100 years ago. There is a unique form of its torii gate with triangular shape on its top. There is an access to Enryakuji Temple next to the shrine with a service of a rope way to the top of Mt. Hiei. Upon your visit in Autumn, you can go on an illuminated maple leaves viewing tour along with neighboring Saikyoji Temple in its north.

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Hiyoshi Taisha, located in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, is a Shinto shrine with a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. Founded during the reign of Emperor Sujin, it has served as a sacred site dedicated to the deity Hiyoshi Okami, associated with water and agriculture. The shrine gained prominence during the Heian period and became closely linked to the powerful Minamoto and Taira clans.

Hiyoshi Taisha is unique for its syncretic worship of Shinto and Buddhism, exemplified by its connection to the nearby Enryaku-ji, a prominent Buddhist temple on Mount Hiei. The annual Sanno Matsuri festival, held in June, is a highlight, attracting visitors with vibrant processions and traditional performances.

Throughout centuries, the shrine has undergone reconstruction due to natural disasters and conflicts. Today, it stands as a cultural and historical treasure, reflecting Japan's enduring spiritual traditions and the integration of Shinto and...

Hiyoshi Taisha is an old Japanese shrine, and it has a forest-style yard and garden which has numerous old, tall trees for more than several hundred years. In addition, the visitors can see the clean flow of water circulating or flowing through various temples in the Shrine area.

But the Shrine may be in crisis probably due to insufficient fund for the maintenance and repair. For example, most of the tree-bark roofs of the Shrine's worshiping temples are in damaging conditions. Also, a few lion-shaped Guards in front of the worshipping shrines or temples are also in damaged condition.

Visitors who are interested in the Shrine can take the same Keihan commuter train to visit Ishiyama-dera Temple of the Otsu area. Alos, there are various other smaller temples outside Hiyoshi Taisha, between subway station and...