20 Shrines in Shiga worth your time

A historic Shiga shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeru, featuring eighteenth-century architecture and unique local spiritual traditions.

What it is

• A village shrine dedicated to the primary deity Yamato Takeru.
• Emperor Chuai and Emperor Ojin are also enshrined at this location.
• The monk Gyoki reportedly founded the site between 729 and 749.
• Current structures date back to reconstruction efforts in 1722 and 1900.

What to see

• The shrine crest featuring a circle with two horizontal lines.
• Three smaller sub-shrines named Hiyoshi, Nogami, and Inari on the grounds.
• Main buildings rebuilt in the eighteenth century after original structures were destroyed.

When to go

• The annual festival takes place every year on May 13th.
• A year-long ritual where a chosen person enshrines a divided spirit at home.

Read more about Shiratori Shrine

This historic head shrine features unique architecture and sacred monkey messengers on expansive grounds at the foot of Mount Hiei.

What it is

• The head shrine for approximately 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines across Japan.
• A national historic site covering 400,000 square meters that once guarded Enryaku-ji Temple.
• Dedicated to the deities Oyamakui-no-kami and Oanamuchi-no-kami in separate main halls.
• Current structures date to the late 16th century after being burned by Oda Nobunaga.

What to see

• The unique Sanno Torii gate which features a distinct mountain-shaped top piece.
• Sacred monkey messengers represented throughout the shrine grounds.
• The Omiya Bridge which is ranked among the top 100 bridges in Japan.
• Momoyama period architecture across the Higashi-hongu and Nishi-hongu shrine complexes.

Official site

hiyoshitaisha.jp

Read more about Hiyoshi Taisha

A historic Shiga shrine founded by imperial descendants, rebuilt after battle and relocated for modern infrastructure development.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to the deities Oyamakui no Kami and Amenohiboko no Mikoto
• Founded by the descendants of Amenohiboko no Mikoto in Nagahama City
• Reconstructed in 1602 after the original buildings were destroyed in the Battle of Shizugatake
• Designated as a village shrine in 1876 and listed in the historic Engishiki Jinmeicho

What to see

• Modern shrine buildings constructed in 1980 following a highway project
• The Konoe Peony which serves as the official shrine crest
• Smaller auxiliary shrines on the grounds including Atago Shrine and Kitano Shrine

When to go

• The annual shrine festival is held every year on April 14th

Read more about Erehiko Shrine

A historic shrine in Maibara featuring a renowned natural spring filtered through Mount Ibuki limestone with high-quality drinking water.

What it is

• A Shiga Prefecture shrine dedicated to the deities Susanoo and Onamuchi-no-mikoto.
• Home to a natural spring selected as one of Japan's top one hundred waters.
• The site preserves cultural properties including a wooden lion head and a rainmaking drum.

What to see

• A natural spring flowing with four thousand five hundred tons of water daily.
• A designated water collection point located downstream for public use.
• A city-designated cultural property shrine bell and wooden lion head.
• A large drum historically used for local rainmaking rituals.

Getting there

• Accessible by taking a bus from Omi-Nagaoka Station.

Read more about Izumi Shrine

Himure Hachimangū is a historic Shinto shrine, significant for its festivals and merchant connections.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Origin of the name "Omihachiman City."
• Worshipped by Omi merchants for centuries.
• Main deities are Homudawake no Mikoto, Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto, and Himegami.

What to see

• Main hall is a three-bay nagare-zukuri style.
• Worship hall built in 1188 by Minamoto no Yoritomo.
• Wooden statues from the Kamakura period.
• Annam Tokaisen Ema is an Important Cultural Property.
• Shrine grounds are part of a traditional buildings district.

When to go

• Sagicho Festival is held annually in mid-March.
• Hachiman Festival is also a national intangible folk cultural property.

Official site

himure.jp

Read more about Himure Hachimangū

Hyōzu Taisha is a historic shrine with a scenic garden and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A shrine in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Yachihoko-no-kami (Okuninushi-no-kami).
• Designated a Japan Heritage site in 2015.
• Listed as a Myojin Taisha in the Engishiki Jinmyocho.

What to see

• The garden is a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• The main hall is a city designated cultural property.
• The stone pagoda is a city designated cultural property.
• The Romon gate is a prefecture designated cultural property.
• A white silk haramaki is an Important Cultural Property.
• The camphor tree forest is a prefecture preservation area.

When to go

• The Hyōzu Festival is held on May 5th.

Address

滋賀県野洲市五条566 Map

Read more about Hyōzu Taisha

Sandai Shrine offers ancient artifacts and beautiful wisteria, a peaceful stop in Kusatsu City.

What it is

• Dedicated to Shinatsuhiko-no-mikoto and Shinatsuhime-no-mikoto.
• Ooyakohime-no-mikoto was enshrined during the Otoku era.
• Renamed in the Meiji era.
• Ranked as a village shrine in 1876.

What to see

• The crest features two sparrows on bamboo.
• One stone lantern is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Three Hannya-kyo karabitsu are city-designated cultural properties.
• A saddle is deposited at the Kyoto National Museum.
• Wisteria is a Shiga Prefecture designated natural monument.

When to go

• The annual festival is on May 3rd.
• The wisteria festival is from late April to early May.

Address

滋賀県草津市志那町309 Map

Read more about Sandai Shrine

Katsube Shrine is an ancient shrine with a rich history, home to a unique fire festival.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Formal name is Monobe-go Soja Katsube Jinja.
• Founded in 649.
• Dedicated to Mononobe Futsu-no-kami and other deities.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in 1497 by Rokkaku Takayori.
• Main hall repaired in 1594 by Toyotomi Hidetsugu.
• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Oda Nobunaga dedicated 60 written oaths here.

When to go

• Taimatsu Festival is on the second Saturday of January.
• Taimatsu Festival is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Moriyama Station.

Address

滋賀県守山市勝部1丁目8-8 Map

Read more about Katsube Shrine

Ono Shrine is a historic site dedicated to mochi-making ancestors, featuring ancient burial mounds and cultural properties.

What it is

• Dedicated to Ametarashihiko Kuni Oshihito no Mikoto.
• Also enshrines Yone Mochitsuki Taishi Nushi no Mikoto, ancestor of confectionery.
• Designated a Shikinaisha (Myojin Taisha) in the Heian period.
• Ranked as a Gosha in 1891.

What to see

• Main hall, Chumon gate, and shrine office.
• Ono no Komachi Kuyo-to, a tangible cultural property.
• Ono Shrine Kofun Group, two circular burial mounds.
• Ono Takamura Shrine, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Ono no Michikaze Shrine, a National Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Shitogi Festival is held on November 2nd.

Address

滋賀県大津市小野1961 Map

Read more about Ono Shrine

Two ancient shrines, 500 meters apart, dedicated to important Shinto deities.

What it is

• Two shrines with the same name, 500 meters apart.
• Kaihatsu shrine founded in 829 by Ika Atsutake.
• Nakanomae shrine founded in 703 by Nakatomi no Tamee.
• Listed as a Shikinaisha in the Engishiki Jinmyocho.

What to see

• Kaihatsu enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto.
• Nakanomae enshrines Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and other deities.
• Nakanomae has a bronze sutra cylinder.
• The sutra cylinder is 25.3 cm high, 11.2 cm in diameter.
• The sutra cylinder was designated a cultural property in 1974.

When to go

• Annual festival for both shrines is on May 5.

Address

滋賀県守山市洲本町字開発1607 Map

Read more about Kojino Shrine

A historic lakeside shrine founded in 697, famous for its massive pine tree and inclusion in the Eight Views of Omi.

What it is

• A subordinate shrine of Hiyoshi Taisha dedicated to the deity Wakesukihime no Mikoto.
• Founded in 697 on the western shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu City.
• Historically served as a significant site for the Nanase no Harae purification rituals.
• A designated scenic spot of Shiga Prefecture featured in the Eight Views of Omi.

What to see

• The Karasaki no Matsu, a massive third-generation pine tree standing on the grounds.
• Views of Lake Biwa from the shrine's position on the water's edge.
• Pine trees that served as the origin for those found in Kanazawa's Kenrokuen garden.

Official site

hiyoshitaisha.jp

Read more about Karasaki Shrine

Yoshimiko Shrine offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese history and architecture.

What it is

• Ancient Shinto shrine in Shiga Prefecture.
• Founded in the 2nd year of Emperor Suinin's reign.
• Dedicated to Yoshiko-no-mikoto and Kashiwazu-hime-no-mikoto.
• Also enshrines Hachiman-no-mikoto and Sarutahiko-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Main hall, relocated from Kyoto's Kamigamo Shrine.
• Main hall built in the early Edo period.
• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden seated statue of Yoshiko-no-mikoto is a cultural property.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Ishibe Station.
• 15 minutes from Ritto IC on Meishin Expressway.

Address

滋賀県湖南市石部西1-15-1 Map

Read more about Yoshimiko Shrine

Otsuki-taisha is an ancient shrine with important cultural properties and unique dance heritage.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine in Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Ochibunomikoto.
• Its crests are 'Sagari-fuji' and 'Mukai-no-usagi'.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt in 1519.
• Main hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• Two 11th-century wooden male deity statues.
• Statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Otsuki-taisha Kofun Group on the grounds.
• Kofun Group has over 10 tumuli from the Kofun period.

When to go

• See the 'Omi Konan no Sanyare Odori' dance.
• Dance is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Address

滋賀県栗東市下戸山1200 Map

Read more about Otsuki-taisha

Komiya Shrine: a historic shrine in Shiga with important cultural properties and a scenic garden.

What it is

• Dedicated to deities Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto.
• Originated from ancient megalithic worship on Mt. Seiryu.
• Rebuilt in 1585 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1638 by Tokugawa Iemitsu.

What to see

• Main hall is a tangible cultural property of Shiga Prefecture.
• Garden is a nationally designated scenic spot.
• 敏満寺石仏谷墓跡 is a nationally designated historic site.
• Bronze gorinto is a national important cultural property.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Taga Taisha-mae Station.

Address

滋賀県犬上郡多賀町敏満寺49 Map

Read more about Komiya Shrine (Taga)

Takebe Taisha is an important, old Shinto shrine in Shiga Prefecture dedicated to a legendary warrior prince.

What it is

• Important Shinto shrine in Shiga Prefecture.
• Dates from the eighth century.
• Dedicated to legendary warrior prince Yamato Takeru.
• Designated as the prefecture's chief shrine.

What to see

• Long gravel walkway flanked by cedar trees.
• Chozuya water basin that plays music.
• Three sacred cedar trees in front of main shrine.
• Eight smaller shrines dedicated to different deities.
• Small pond with koi carp.
• Treasure hall with Heian period statues and mikoshi.

When to go

• Annual Senkosai Festival on August 17.

Address

滋賀県大津市神領一丁目16-1 Map

Official site

takebetaisha.jp

Read more about Takebe taisha

Ancient shrine in Shiga with unique local gods and kappa legends, worth visiting for its history.

What it is

• Founded in 1334.
• Dedicated to Shikobuchi-no-kami and Hikohohodemi-no-mikoto.
• Shikobuchi-no-kami is a god unique to the Adogawa River basin.
• One of seven Shikobuchi shrines with kappa legends.

What to see

• The shrine's crest is a diamond-shaped four-eyed pattern.
• Hachiman Shrine and Inari Shrine are subsidiary shrines.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on May 1st.

Getting there

• From JR Adogawa Station, take a bus to Nakano bus stop.
• It is an 8-minute walk from Nakano bus stop.

Address

滋賀県高島市安曇川町中野564 Map

Read more about Shikobuchi Shrine

Sakunado Shrine, founded in 669, offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese worship and architecture.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha (Myojin Taisha) shrine.
• Founded in 669 by Nakatomi no Kane.
• Enshrines four deities called Haraedo Okami.
• Relocated in 1964 due to Amagase Dam construction.

What to see

• The shrine's crest is the Kokoro Sakura Juroku Kiku.
• Main buildings: Honden, Heiden, Haiden, and Shamusho.
• Main building is a designated cultural property.
• Itae Chakushoku Musha Kiba Zo is a designated cultural property.
• Otabisho is 500 meters south of the main shrine.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on April 16th.

Address

滋賀県大津市大石中一丁目2-1 Map

Read more about Sakunado Shrine

Kayano Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Kaika, offers unique architecture and seasonal festivals worth an hour.

What it is

• Dedicated to Emperor Kaika, the 9th emperor.
• Founded in the 6th year of Emperor Yuryaku's reign.
• Also known as 'Kyu-Teio-gu' or 'Kyu-Dai-o-sha'.
• Its crest is the 'Minogame' (straw-cloaked turtle).

What to see

• Main hall in Ikkensha-nagare-zukuri style.
• Worship hall in Kirizuma-zukuri style.
• Several subsidiary shrines within its grounds.

When to go

• Spring festival on May 5th.
• Fire festival on December 6th.

Getting there

• Walk from Seta Station on the JR Biwako Line.

Address

滋賀県大津市大萱2-21-1 Map

Read more about Kayano Shrine

Mikami Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine with important architecture, dedicated to a sacred mountain.

What it is

• A Myojin Taisha Shinto shrine.
• A Beppyo Jinja of the Association of Shinto Shrines.
• Dedicated to Amenomikage-no-mikoto.
• Worships Mount Mikami as a sacred mountain.

What to see

• The main hall, a National Treasure.
• The worship hall, an Important Cultural Property.
• The tower gate, an Important Cultural Property.
• The Wakamiya Shrine, an Important Cultural Property.
• Mount Mikami, also known as Omi Fuji.

When to go

• The Zuiki Festival, a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

滋賀県野洲市三上838 Map

Official site

www.mikami-jinja.jp

Read more about Mikami Shrine

Kamitakatsuki Shrine is an ancient shrine in Nagahama, dedicated to two deities, offering a glimpse into traditional Japanese architecture.

What it is

• Ancient Shikinaisha shrine in Nagahama City.
• Listed in the historical Engishiki Jinmyocho.
• Dedicated to Amenokoyane-no-mikoto.
• Also enshrines Takahe-hime-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Main hall is Ikkensha Nagare-zukuri style.
• Worship hall is Irimoya-zukuri style.
• Shrine crest is Hidarimai Mitsugashiwa.
• Inari Shrine is on the grounds.
• Tenmangu Shrine is on the grounds.
• Ryujin Shrine is on the grounds.

When to go

• Okonae festival is on February 8th.
• Annual festival is on April 20th.

Address

滋賀県長浜市高月町高月1 Map

Read more about Kamitakatsuki Shrine