20 Shrines in Yamagata worth your time

This shrine, founded in 807, hosts festivals throughout the year to pray for peace and harvest.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 807 during the Heian period.
• Enshrines four deities: Takemikazuchi, Iwai Nushi, Amatsu Koyane, Hime.
• Protected Kurokawa Noh, performed as Shinto ritual.
• Name changed several times, became Kasuga Jinja in 1868.

What to see

• Main hall (honden) built in 1674.
• Present-day worship hall (haiden) built in 1739.

When to go

• January 1: Saitan Festival for solar New Year.
• February 1-2: Ogi Festival for lunar New Year.
• May 3: Reitai Festival to worship deities.
• Every 20 years: Periodic festival to celebrate founding.

Address

山形県米沢市丸の内1 Map

Read more about Kasuga Shrine

Hie Shrine is a historic shrine in Sakata, known for its unique gates and annual festival.

What it is

• A shrine in Sakata City, also called Shimo-Hie Shrine.
• Founded around the mid-16th century.
• Settled in its current location in 1712.
• Dedicated to Onamuchi-no-kami, Oyamakui-no-kami, and Munakata Nakatsuhime-no-kami.

What to see

• The main shrine building, built in 1784 by Honma Mitsuoka.
• A Zuijinmon gate on the shrine grounds.
• A Sanno Torii gate on the shrine grounds.

When to go

• The annual Sakata Matsuri is from May 19th to 21st.

Getting there

• Located northeast of Hiyoriyama Park.

Address

山形県酒田市日吉町1-7-32 Map

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Uesugi Shrine, dedicated to Uesugi Kenshin, offers historical insights and cultural treasures.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Uesugi Kenshin.
• Located in Matsugasaki Park, former Yonezawa Castle site.
• Designated a Bekkaku Kanpei-sha.
• Main hall and treasure hall rebuilt in 1923.

What to see

• Statues of Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Yozan.
• Statues of Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu.
• Matsugasaki Shrine, dedicated to Uesugi Yozan.
• Many cultural properties housed here.

When to go

• Uesugi Festival held from April 28th to May 3rd.

Getting there

• About a 20-minute walk from Yonezawa Station.

Address

山形県米沢市丸の内1丁目4-13 Map

Official site

www.uesugi-jinja.or.jp

Read more about Uesugi Shrine

Arakura Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated to horses and food, with unique statues and festivals.

What it is

• Founded in 717 AD.
• Dedicated to Ukemochi-no-Okami and Ogetsuhime-no-Kami.
• Known as a guardian of food, animals, and sericulture.
• Especially famous as a god of horses.

What to see

• Stone statues of two horses are on the grounds.
• Main shrine building was constructed in 1855.
• Stone statue of Sho Kannon is a cultural property.

When to go

• Annual festivals are held in April, August, and November.
• Arakura Lion Dance is a sacred performing art.

Address

山形県鶴岡市西目荒倉口38 Map

Read more about Arakura Shrine

Gosho Shrine, founded in the late 7th century, is worth visiting for its unique Black Lion Festival.

What it is

• Shrine founded in the late 7th century.
• Enshrines Ohirume-no-muchinomikoto and Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto.
• Also enshrines Wakeikazuchi-no-kami, Kanamahiko-no-mikoto, and Takeminakata-no-mikoto.
• Five deities were enshrined together in 1090.

What to see

• Black Lion Dance with a 10-meter curtain.

When to go

• Annual festival on August 14-15.
• Black Lion Festival is held then.

Getting there

• 10 minutes by car from Nagai Station.

Address

山形県長井市寺泉2303 Map

Read more about Gosho Shrine

Historic shrine in Shinjo City, home to the oldest building and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Formal name is Hachiman Shrine.
• Founded in 1229.
• Dedicated to Emperor Ojin.
• Revered by successive feudal lords.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1638, oldest building in Shinjo City.
• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Worship hall built in 1691.
• Worship hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Left hand of Prince Oyama Mori no Mikoto is enshrined.
• Torigoe Kagura is a city-designated intangible folk cultural property.

Address

山形県新庄市鳥越1224 Map

Read more about Torigoe Hachiman Shrine

Kinbō Shrine is a historic mountain shrine with important cultural properties and scenic views.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Founded between 806 and 810.
• Formerly a prefectural shrine and Shugendō training ground.
• Dedicated to Sukunahikona-no-kami, Ōkuninushi-no-kami, Kotoshironushi-no-kami, and Emperor Ankan.

What to see

• The main hall on the summit of Mount Kinbō.
• Shrine buildings scattered throughout Mount Kinbō.
• Main hall is an important cultural property.
• A bronze bowl is an important cultural property.

Address

山形県鶴岡市大字青龍寺字金峯1 Map

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Yudonosan Shrine: a unique mountain shrine where the mountain itself is worshipped.

What it is

• Shrine on the slopes of Mount Yudono.
• One of the three sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains.
• The mountain itself is the object of worship.
• No main hall or shrine buildings.

What to see

• Mount Yudono as the main deity.
• Otaki Shrine behind, worshipping a waterfall.
• Visitors purify and remove shoes at the main shrine.

Getting there

• Yudono-san Toll Road, then shuttle bus or walk.
• 2-hour hiking trail from Mount Gassan summit.

Address

山形県鶴岡市田麦俣字六十里山7 Map

Official site

www.dewasanzan.jp

Read more about Yudonosan Shrine

A historic shrine founded in 860 by Ennin, serving as a spiritual base for Sanno Shinto in the Tohoku region.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded in 860 by the monk Ennin.
• The site is dedicated to the deity Oyamakui-no-kami.
• It was originally established as a base for Sanno Shinto in Tohoku.
• The shrine was formerly known as Sanno Gongen and Omiya Daigongen.

What to see

• A divided spirit brought from the famous Hiyoshi Taisha.
• The grounds of a historic village shrine in Yamadera.
• Nearby landmarks including the related Risshaku-ji Temple.

Address

山形県山形市山寺4449-4 Map

Read more about Hie Shrine

Shōnai Shrine honors local lords; its treasure hall displays samurai family treasures.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 1877 on Tsurugaoka Castle's main keep site.
• It enshrines four ancestors of the Sakai family.
• The Sakai family were former lords of Shōnai Domain.

What to see

• Treasure hall built in 1998.
• Displays about 2000 items, including Sakai family treasures.
• Located within Tsuruoka Park, known for cherry trees.

When to go

• Shōnai Grand Festival, with daimyo procession, is every August.

Address

山形県鶴岡市馬場町4番1号 Map

Official site

jinjahan.com

Read more about Shōnai Shrine

Sagae Hachimangu is a historic shrine with unique Yabusame, worth visiting for its cultural heritage.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Founded in 1093.
• Dedicated to Hondawake-no-mikoto and Oyamatsumi-no-kami.
• Formerly a prefectural shrine, now a Beppyo Jinja.

What to see

• The current main hall, built in 1686.
• The worship hall, built in 1775.
• A short sword, a prefectural cultural property.

When to go

• Sagae Hachimangu Yabusame is a unique intangible folk cultural property.

Address

山形県寒河江市八幡町5-70 Map

Read more about Sagae Hachinangū

Ancient mountain shrine dedicated to Ōmonoimi no Ōkami, offering a glimpse into sacred Japanese mountain worship.

What it is

• Ancient Shikinaisha and Dewa Province Ichinomiya.
• Dedicated to Ōmonoimi no Ōkami.
• Worships Mount Chokai as a sacred mountain.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2008.

What to see

• Main shrine on Mount Chokai.
• Two lower shrines.
• Fukura Kuchinomiya, enshrining Tsukuyomi no Mikoto.
• Three mountain huts, including Omurogoya.

When to go

• Annual art exhibition at Omurogoya.

Address

山形県飽海郡遊佐町に3宮 Map

Official site

www9.piala.or.jp

Read more about Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine

Visit this ancient shrine, guardian of a former castle, to see its historic grounds and sub-shrines.

What it is

• Ancient shrine, guardian deity of a former castle.
• Second shrine of Dewa Province.
• Appears in the Six National Histories.
• Enshrines Ukanomitama-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Castle ruins discovered around the shrine.
• Tamanoike Shrine within the grounds.
• Kōtai Shrine within the grounds.

Getting there

• 20-minute bus ride from Sakata Station.
• 30-minute walk from Mototate Station.

Address

山形県酒田市城輪字表物忌35 Map

Read more about Kinowa Shrine

One of Japan's Three Kumano shrines, rebuilt in 806, with important cultural properties.

What it is

• Commonly called Kumano Taisha.
• One of Japan's Three Kumano shrines.
• Enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto.
• Rebuilt in 806 by imperial command.

What to see

• Kumano Shrine Haiden is a prefectural cultural property.
• Tsuchisha Shrine Honden is a prefectural cultural property.
• Ninomiya Shrine Honden is a prefectural cultural property.
• Sannomiya Shrine Shaden is a city cultural property.

Address

山形県南陽市宮内3476-1 Map

Official site

www.kumano-taisha.or.jp

Read more about Kumano Shrine

Atago Shrine, founded in 1377 on a castle site, offers historical buildings and artifacts.

What it is

• A shrine in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Founded in 1377 on Maizuru Mountain.
• Stands on the site of the former Tendo Castle main keep.
• Dedicated to the deity Homusubi no Kami.

What to see

• The main shrine building, constructed in 1678.
• The shrine building is a Tendo City cultural property.
• A painting of a divine horse from the Momoyama period.
• A stone lantern pole dating from 1609.

Address

山形県天童市大字北目字城山988-1 Map

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Dewa Shrine is a historic mountain shrine with a stunning cedar forest and pagoda.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine on Mount Haguro.
• Dedicated to Idehahanokami and Inakuratananomikoto.
• Former shrine rank was Kokuhei Shosha.
• Headquarters of the religious corporation.

What to see

• The Sanjin Gosaiden building.
• Main approach with 2,446 stone steps.
• Cedar forest lining the approach.
• Cedar trees are a Special Natural Monument.
• Five-Storied Pagoda, a National Treasure.

Address

山形県鶴岡市羽黒町手向字羽黒山 Map

Official site

www.dewasanzan.jp

Read more about Dewa Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to emperors and empresses, with historic halls and subsidiary shrines.

What it is

• Founded in 877 by Fujiwara Ason, Dewa Province governor.
• Enshrines Emperor Ojin, Emperor Chuai, and Empress Jingu.
• Consecrated from Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu.
• Formerly known as Ichijo Hachiman-gu.

What to see

• Shrine grounds include a torii gate.
• Main hall and worship hall are on the grounds.
• Kamo Shrine is a subsidiary shrine.
• Soreisha is another subsidiary shrine.

Address

山形県酒田市市条字水上壱番ノ内1 Map

Read more about Hachiman Shrine

Ancient Hachiman shrine on a hill, with significant historical buildings and artifacts.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Hachiman-shin.
• Established in 777 by Otomo Surugamaro.
• Current worship hall built in 1383.
• Current main hall built in 1654.

What to see

• Earthworks and dry moats.
• 46 building tags.
• Two wooden gate god seated statues.
• Bugaku mask.
• Late Heian period gate god statues.

Getting there

• 1 km south of JR Narushima Station.

Address

山形県米沢市広幡町成島1058 Map

Read more about Narushima Hachiman Shrine

Ancient shrine founded in 721, with historic ties to powerful clans and unique cultural properties.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 721 by Gyoki.
• Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and Yoshiie prayed for victory here.
• Ooe clan provided territory in 1189.
• Nagasaki Nakayama clan protected the shrine.

What to see

• Sutra mound from the Heian period.
• Excavated octagonal stone pillar-shaped stone bell.
• Two wooden statues of the Ten Kings.
• Hirashio Bugaku, a folk cultural property.

Address

山形県寒河江市平塩1 Map

Read more about Hirashio Kumano Shrine

Iwaneaswa Sanzan Shrine is a historic mountain shrine, a major trailhead for Dewa Sanzan.

What it is

• A shrine in Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Originally a Tendai sect temple founded in 1387.
• Became a shrine in 1870 due to Shinto and Buddhism separation.
• A major trailhead for Dewa Sanzan.

What to see

• Current buildings constructed in 1841.
• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall is Tohoku region's largest wooden building.

Address

山形県西村山郡西川町岩根沢 Map

Read more about Iwaneaswa Sanzan Shrine