Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Otsu 大津市 > Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine 日吉大社

Most viewed - Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine 日吉大社
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Nishi Hongu Honden Hall, a National Treasure. It is only one of three buildings in Japan which represent the Hie-zukuri (日吉造り) architectural style. Higashi Hongu and Usagu and the two other shrines in this style.西本宮 291 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine at the foot of Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture is the head shrine for all Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno Shrines in Japan (around 2,000). Hiezan Sakamoto Station on the JR Kosei Line and Keihan Line's Sakamoto Station are nearest.210 views
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Map of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine at the foot of Mt. Hiei. It is a complex of the so-called Seven Sanno Shrines, including two shrines designated as National Treasures. There are also 14 lesser shrines. Most things are within easy walking distance.181 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine's boat dock is used during the Sanno Festival when they carry the portable mikoshi shrines on a boat.156 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Higashi Hongu Shrine Honden, a National Treasure. This shrine worships the mountain god (Oyamakui-no-kami) of Mt. Hiei. Built in 1595. 東本宮 本殿 国宝132 views
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Also see my photos of the Sanno-sai Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha's biggest festival.116 views
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Torii at night in autumn. Hiyoshi literally means "Good Day" or "Fortunate Day." People pray here to have a good day. Having a good day every day leads to a good life. Taisha means "grand shrine."101 views
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Sacred Monkey. The monkey is the shrine god's messenger.101 views
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Sacred Rock for the monkey spirit. 猿の霊石100 views
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Directly behind the Haiden is the Nishi Hongu Honden Hall98 views
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It is actually a boat dock on Lake Biwa.98 views
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Sacred Monkey cage on left and Sacred Horse on the right (dummy horse).98 views
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Nishi Hongu Honden Hall worships the god (Onamuchi-no-kami) protecting the nation. This current structure was built in 1586. 西本宮 本殿97 views
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Sanno Torii has a unique shape. The triangular gable on top represents the integration of Buddhism's Womb Realm and Diamond Realm with Shinto. 山王鳥居96 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's tea field, Japan's oldest.95 viewsDuring the latter half of November, Hiyoshi Taisha has 3,000 maple trees lit up at night 5:00 pm–8:30 pm. Even the green leaves look great against the dark sky. Info in Japanese:
http://hiyoshitaisha.jp/event/momiji/
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Nishi Hongu Haiden Hall95 views
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The gate gives a hint of what's to come.93 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Sanno Torii rear view.92 views
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Jizo 早尾地蔵尊91 views
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Monkey sculpture on all four corners of the Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu.91 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu Shrine is an Important Cultural Property. 楼門89 views
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Usa-gu Shrine Honden 宇佐宮 本殿89 views
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Shirayama-gu Shrine Honden Hall. Important Cultural Property built in 1598. 白山宮 本殿87 views
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In the middle is the Haiden for Higashi Hongu.86 views
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Unlike the other shrines, you can actually go inside this shrine hall.86 views
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Jizo statue84 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha once had as many as 108 shrines, but Oda Nobunaga torched all of it along with Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei in the 16th century. The buildings were since rebuilt.84 views
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Next to Nishi Hongu is Usa-gu Shrine.83 views
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Yomiya-jo82 views
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Sanno Torii lit up in autumn at night in Nov. 山王鳥居82 views
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A small admission is charged to enter the shrine. 求法寺82 views
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Kamei Sacred Well81 views
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Secondary shrines in need of repair (donations welcome).81 views
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The first torii you see when you enter the sprawling shrine grounds. Hiyoshi Taisha worships the mountain god of Mt. Hiei and the god protecting the nation. MAP80 views
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Near Nishi Hongu is this small river and restaurant.80 views
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About the Romon Gate in Japanese.79 views
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Nishi Hongu is also lit up at night during autumn.79 views
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Portable shrines (called shinyo instead of mikoshi) are placed in the Haiden for the Sanno-sai Festival.78 views
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Omiya Bridge at night in autumn when they light up the leaves.78 views
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The shrine also has a torii gate on the lake shore, next to Sakamoto Castle.77 views
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Inside portable shrine storehouse where retired portable shrines are kept. They are Important Cultural Properties.76 views
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Kep walking straight and you will come to this Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu Shrine. 楼門76 views
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Portable shrine storehouse76 views
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What to pray for at Hiyoshi Taisha.76 views
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Shirayama-gu Shrine Haiden75 views
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Path to Higashi Hongu Shrine.75 views
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The Gongen-zukuri architectural style is employed. This shrine was the inspiration for the more famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko (Tochigi) and Kunozan Shrine in Nihondaira, Shizuoka.75 views
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Another torii on the Sando road leading to Hiyoshi Taisha. This neighborhood is called Sakamoto which is noted for traditional architecture.74 views
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Omiya Bridge happens to be an Important Cultural Property. 大宮橋74 views
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Usa-gu Shrine is also in the Hie-zukuri style, but smaller than Nishi Hongu. Important Cultural Property built in 1598.74 views
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Way to Shirayama-gu Shrine.74 views
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Torii at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Two of the shrine's main structures are National Treasures.73 views
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Entering Nishi Hongu Shrine.73 views
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Approaching Sanno Torii73 views
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Inside looks like brand new.73 views
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About Toshogu Shrine in Japanese.73 views
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Romon Gate to Higashi Hongu73 views
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Ninomiya Bridge leading to Higashi Hongu Shrine. 二宮橋72 views
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Way to Hiyoshi Toshogu, in the same direction as the Hieizan cable car.71 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Toshogu Shrine is a lesser shrine (massha 末社), a short walk from the main area of Hiyoshi Taisha.71 views
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Rear of Higashi Hongu Honden Hall. You can see that the veranda in the center is slightly elevated. This makes it different from Nishi Hongu.70 views
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Romon Gate rear69 views
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Path to Mt. Hachioji where there are two more shrines.69 views
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This is a must-see shrine. Very ornate and colorful, similar to Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. Important Cultural Property.68 views
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Right side of Higashi Hongu Honden. The front looks almost identical to Nishi Hongu.67 views
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About Nishi Hongu Honden Hall67 views
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About the Higashi Hongu in Japanese.66 views
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Thatched roof of Higashi Hongu.62 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.52 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.49 views
   
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