20 Shrines in Ōita worth your time

The head of 44,000 Hachiman shrines featuring National Treasure architecture and a unique four-handclap worship ritual.

What it is

• The head shrine of approximately 44,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan.
• Founded in 725, it is one of the three major Hachiman shrines.
• Dedicated to Hachiman Okami, Hime Okami, and Empress Jingu.
• The grounds are designated as a national historic site.

What to see

• Three main hall buildings designated as national treasures.
• The Upper Shrine and Lower Shrine complexes on the grounds.
• Unique worship rituals involving four handclaps instead of the usual two.
• A site where an imperial messenger is dispatched every ten years.

When to go

• The Upper Shrine opens daily at 5:30 AM or 6:00 AM.

Getting there

• The shrine is accessible by bus from JR Usa Station.

Official site

www.usajinguu.com

Read more about Usa Jingū

Historic shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, with a plum garden and unique festivals.

What it is

• Shinto shrine in Inumaru, Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, who landed here in 901.
• Founded in 956 by Sugawara no Fumitoki.

What to see

• The 'Gokyaku Tenjin' statue, donated in 1680, is 30cm tall.
• The 'Torai-ishi' stone marks where Michizane sat.
• Worship hall was rebuilt in 2022.
• Inumaru Baien plum garden has over 100 plum trees.

When to go

• Plum garden is busy from mid-February to early March.
• The 'Goshinkosai' festival is held in late October annually.
• The 'Gokaijo Taisai' festival occurs every 24 years.

Address

大分県中津市犬丸1530 Map

Read more about Inumaru-tenmangū

A historic shrine in Oita featuring a unique fortress-like castle structure and a culturally designated main hall from 1828.

What it is

• A shrine founded in 1601 by Kurushima Michichika within Mishima Park.
• Dedicated to the deity Oyamatsumi no Kami and renamed in 1873.
• The site originally served as the administrative office for the Mori Domain.
• A complex that merged with Myokengu and features several smaller branch shrines.

What to see

• A unique fortress-like castle structure located within the shrine grounds.
• The main hall completed in 1828, which is a designated prefectural cultural property.
• Architectural renovations commissioned by the eighth lord Kurushima Michihiro in 1837.

Read more about Suehiro Shrine

Visit this ancient shrine in Kyushu for its unique Doburoku Festival and sacred sake tradition.

What it is

• A historic village shrine in Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Amatsuhitakahikohoni Ninigi no Mikoto.
• Known for its 1300-year-old Doburoku Festival tradition.
• The only Kyushu shrine permitted to brew doburoku sake.

When to go

• October 17th and 18th for the Doburoku Festival.
• Doburoku sake is served on both festival days.
• A portable shrine procession takes place on October 18th.
• Festival events are a national intangible folk cultural asset.

Getting there

• A 20-minute drive from Kitsuki IC on Oita Airport Road.

Address

大分県杵築市大田沓掛1693 Map

Read more about Shirahige Tawara Shrine

Mameda Yasaka Shrine is a historic site in Hita City, known for its significant Gion Festival.

What it is

• A shrine in Hita City, Oita Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• One of three shrines for the Hita Gion Festival.
• Relocated to its current site during the Hoei era.

What to see

• A 1864 drawing shows a Gion Shrine attached to Yamamoto-in.
• The current float procession circles between the shrine and Nakajyo Otabisho.
• The float event is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
• The float event is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

When to go

• The annual festival is held on July 14th and 15th.

Address

大分県日田市豆田町201 Map

Read more about Mameda Yasaka Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to four deities, with historic buildings and unique rituals.

What it is

• Founded in 809 AD.
• Enshrines four deities: Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, Futsunushi-no-mikoto, Amenokoyane-no-mikoto, and Hime-okami.
• Gained faith from the Otomo clan.
• Became a Gosha (village shrine) in 1873.

What to see

• Thirteen buildings are national tangible cultural properties.
• Main hall dates to the late Edo period.
• Bell tower was built in 1830.
• Possesses the 'Oshio-kumi Shinji Emaki' from 1825.
• 'Kasuga Jinja Shiokumi Emaki' is a city cultural property.

When to go

• Shiokumi Shinji ritual was recreated in 2009.

Address

大分県豊後高田市草地三笠山 Map

Read more about Kasuga Shrine

Ancient shrine in Oita with unique architecture, historic treasures, and a 3000-year-old camphor tree.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Oita City.
• Founded in 836 by Emperor Ninmyo's order.
• Dedicated to Emperor Chuai, Emperor Ojin, and Empress Jingu.
• Branch shrine of Usa Hachiman.

What to see

• Ten buildings are National Important Cultural Properties.
• Main hall built in Hachiman-zukuri style.
• South Gate, constructed in 1870.
• A camphor tree, a National Natural Monument.
• The camphor tree is over 3000 years old.
• Many artifacts are Important Cultural Properties.

When to go

• Shrine buildings rebuilt every 33 years since 998.

Official site

oita-yusuhara.com

Read more about Yusuhara Hachimangū

A Gokoku Shrine honoring Oita's war dead, known for its plum and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• Founded October 18, 1875.
• Enshrines about 44,000 war dead from Oita Prefecture.
• Also enshrines police officers and self-defense officials.
• Designated a Gokoku Shrine by the Minister of Home Affairs.

What to see

• Memorial tower for Oita Prefecture war dead.
• Largest ema in Kyushu, measuring 3m by 5m.
• About 200 plum trees on the grounds.
• About 500 cherry trees on the grounds.

When to go

• Known as a famous place for plum blossoms.
• Known as a famous place for cherry blossoms.

Address

大分県大分市大字牧1371[1] Map

Read more about Oita Gokoku Shrine

Ohara-hachimangu is a historic Hachiman shrine with unique architecture and a significant cultural ritual.

What it is

• Largest Hachiman shrine in Hita City.
• Enshrines Hondawake-no-mikoto, Otarashihime-no-mikoto, and Hime-okami.
• Predecessor shrine established in 704.
• Moved to its current location in 1624.

What to see

• Main hall uses Hachiman-zukuri architectural style.
• Main hall, offering hall, and worship hall built in 1794.
• Tower gate is the oldest building, built in 1687.
• Tower gate, worship hall, offering hall, main hall are cultural properties.
• Rice divination ritual is an intangible folk cultural asset.

Address

大分県日田市田島2丁目184 Map

Read more about Ohara-hachimangu

This large Inari shrine in Kyushu offers bright red torii gates and fox statues, with city views.

What it is

• Largest Shinto shrine in Taketa.
• One of the most prominent Inari shrines in Kyushu.
• Dedicated to Inari deity, associated with rice cultivation.
• Established as a sanctuary in 1616.

What to see

• Succession of bright red torii gates.
• Fox statues of many sizes throughout the grounds.
• Sweeping views over Taketa from the stone staircase.

When to go

• First few days of the new year are particularly busy.
• Other times of the year offer a more peaceful experience.

Address

大分県竹田市大字拝田原字桜瀬811 Map

Read more about Ōgimori Inari Shrine

Nakatsu Daijingu is a historic shrine in Oita Prefecture, notable for its enshrined deities and summer festival.

What it is

• A shrine in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture.
• Enshrines Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Omikami.
• Founded in 1881 as Jingu Buzen Kyokai.
• Renamed Nakatsu Daijingu in 1946.

What to see

• Nakatsu Jinja enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Emperor Ojin.
• Shrine grounds contain the monument of the Nakatsu-tai.
• Kii Jinja enshrines Shiroi Shigefusa.
• Senjo Jinja enshrines 45 retainers of Shiroi Shigefusa.

When to go

• Nakatsu Gion is held annually in late July.

Address

大分県中津市二ノ丁1273-1 Map

Read more about Nakatsu Daijingu

Maruyama Shrine, founded in 1610, offers a glimpse into local history and traditional Japanese architecture.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 1610 by Kato Kiyomasa.
• Dedicated to Emperors Ojin, Keiko, Chuai, and Empress Jingu.
• Sugawara no Michizane and other deities enshrined later.
• Known as Maruyama Hachiman during the Edo period.

What to see

• Two-story gate built in 1720.
• Gate is an Oita City tangible cultural property.
• Old Higo (Bungo) Road passes in front.
• 660-meter section of old road is a historic site.

When to go

• Main festival is held on April 20th.

Address

大分県大分市今市2568 Map

Read more about Maruyama Shrine (Oita)

Sasamuta Shrine is an ancient grand shrine in Oita City with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A grand Shinto shrine (Shikinaisha) in Oita City.
• It is the Ichinomiya (chief shrine) of Bungo Province.
• Dedicated to the deity Sasamuta Okami.
• Its history is recorded in the Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku.

What to see

• The Mannenbashi, a stone arch bridge at the entrance.
• The Shinko storehouse, built in 1886.
• The Shinko is a cultural property of Oita City.
• The Mannenbashi is a cultural property of Oita Prefecture.
• The Hongu Jinja, an inner shrine (Okumiya).

Address

大分県大分市寒田 Map

Official site

sasamuta.com

Read more about Sasamuta Shrine

Hayasuihime Shrine: an ancient shrine with unique architecture and cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine, formerly a Prefectural Shrine.
• Also known as Seki no Gongen-sama.
• Enshrines Yasomagatsuhinokami and Onahobinokami.
• Relocated to its current site in 701.

What to see

• Main hall, main gate, and shrine house are cultural properties.
• These structures were designated in March 2004.
• Worship hall roof has unique tiles.

When to go

• Fuji Festival is held in early May.
• A grand festival takes place in July.

Address

大分県大分市佐賀関3336-2 Map

Read more about Hayasuihime Shrine

Hirose Shrine honors a naval hero and war dead, with a museum dedicated to his life.

What it is

• Established in 1935 as a prefectural shrine.
• Dedicated to Lieutenant Commander Takeo Hirose.
• Enshrines over 1400 war dead from Naori District.

What to see

• Bust of Takeo Hirose stands before the torii.
• Takeo Hirose Memorial Museum is on the grounds.
• Museum displays artifacts of Takeo Hirose.
• A cutter from the battleship Asahi is in the museum.
• Monument to General Korechika Anami is present.
• Inscription on monument written by Nobusuke Kishi.

Address

大分県竹田市大字竹田2020 Map

Read more about Hirose Shrine (Taketa)

Honoo-Honome Shrine, founded in 771, is a historic site with cultural properties and natural monuments.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine founded in 771.
• It consists of three parts: upper, middle, and lower.
• Listed in the ancient Engishiki Jinmyocho.

What to see

• The upper shrine on Mt. Tsurumi's summit.
• The middle shrine on Mt. Tsurumi's mountainside.
• The lower shrine at Mt. Tsurumi's foot.
• Designated tangible cultural properties.
• Designated natural monuments.

When to go

• Prayers offered during a Mt. Tsurumi eruption in 867.

Address

上宮：大分県別府市東山 中宮：大分県別府市東山一区 下宮：大分県別府市火売8-1 Map

Official site

honomejinja.jp

Read more about Honoo-Honome Shrine

Komo Shrine, founded in the 9th century, is an ancestral shrine of Usa Jingu with important cultural properties.

What it is

• An ancestral shrine of Usa Jingu.
• Founded between 834 and 848.
• Also called Osada Hachimangu.
• Enshrines Emperor Ojin, Hime Okami, and Empress Jingu.

What to see

• Misumi Pond is the inner shrine.
• The main sanctuary is the outer shrine.
• Main gate built in 1622 by Hosokawa Tadaoki.
• Main gate is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Shrine buildings constructed in the late Edo period.
• Aquatic plant community of Misumi Pond.

Address

大分県中津市大字大貞209 Map

Read more about Komo Shrine

Ancient shrine in Oita with historic gates and lanterns, rebuilt by local lords.

What it is

• Shrine established in 959.
• Enshrines eight deities.
• Rebuilt in 1602 by Kinoshita Nobutoshi.
• Designated a prefectural shrine in 1932.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1669.
• Tower gate completed in 1703.
• Tower gate is a Hiji Town cultural property.
• Four stone torii gates are cultural properties.
• Eight stone lanterns are cultural properties.

When to go

• Annual festival on October 14th and 15th.

Address

大分県速見郡日出町2831-1 Map

Read more about Hiji Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine

Tetsudō Shrine, a unique rooftop shrine in Oita City, offers a peaceful escape and city views.

What it is

• A shrine established in 1965.
• It enshrines a spirit from Tasohara Hachiman Shrine.
• Built using camphor trees from Oita Station.

What to see

• The shrine building on a rooftop garden.
• Views of Oita City from the roof.

When to go

• Main shrine relocation festival was held April 10, 2015.

Getting there

• Located on the roof of the JR Oita City building.

Address

大分県大分市要町 Map

Read more about Tetsudō Shrine

Unaguhime Shrine is a historic shrine with a giant cedar, easily accessible from Yufuin Station.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine, formerly a prefectural shrine.
• Also known as Rokushogu, enshrining six deities.

What to see

• Vermilion-lacquered nagare-zukuri style main hall.
• Large torii gate in the center of Yufuin.
• Okisusha's giant cedar, a national natural monument.
• The cedar is over 1,000 years old and 38 meters tall.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Yufuin Station.

Address

大分県由布市湯布院町川上2220 Map

Read more about Unaguhime Shrine