Last additions - Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine 日吉大社 |

Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.Sep 17, 2016
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Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.Sep 17, 2016
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What to pray for at Hiyoshi Taisha.Jul 07, 2009
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Unlike the other shrines, you can actually go inside this shrine hall.Jul 07, 2009
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A small admission is charged to enter the shrine. 求法寺Jul 07, 2009
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Next to Nishi Hongu is Usa-gu Shrine.Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Secondary shrines in need of repair (donations welcome).Jul 07, 2009
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Portable shrine storehouseJul 07, 2009
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Sacred Rock for the monkey spirit. 猿の霊石Jul 07, 2009
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Sacred Monkey cage on left and Sacred Horse on the right (dummy horse).Jul 07, 2009
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Shirayama-gu Shrine Honden Hall. Important Cultural Property built in 1598. 白山宮 本殿Jul 07, 2009
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Way to Shirayama-gu Shrine.Jul 07, 2009
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It is actually a boat dock on Lake Biwa.Jul 07, 2009
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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 �Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Path to Mt. Hachioji where there are two more shrines.Jul 07, 2009
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Romon Gate to Higashi HonguJul 07, 2009
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Nishi Hongu is also lit up at night during autumn.Jul 07, 2009
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Sanno Torii rear view.Jul 07, 2009
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Sacred Monkey. The monkey is the shrine god's messenger.Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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About Toshogu Shrine in Japanese.Jul 07, 2009
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Monkey sculpture on all four corners of the Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu.Jul 07, 2009
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Kamei Sacred WellJul 07, 2009
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Thatched roof of Higashi Hongu.Jul 07, 2009
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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Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Inside looks like brand new.Jul 07, 2009
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Sanno Torii lit up in autumn at night in Nov. 山王鳥居Jul 07, 2009
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Omiya Bridge at night in autumn when they light up the leaves.Jul 07, 2009
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The shrine also has a torii gate on the lake shore, next to Sakamoto Castle.Jul 07, 2009
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About the Higashi Hongu in Japanese.Jul 07, 2009
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Kep walking straight and you will come to this Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu Shrine. 楼門Jul 07, 2009
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Approaching Sanno ToriiJul 07, 2009
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Usa-gu Shrine Honden 宇佐宮 本殿Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Yomiya-joJul 07, 2009
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu Shrine is an Important Cultural Property. 楼門Jul 07, 2009
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Inside portable shrine storehouse where retired portable shrines are kept. They are Important Cultural Properties.Jul 07, 2009
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Near Nishi Hongu is this small river and restaurant.Jul 07, 2009
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Path to Higashi Hongu Shrine.Jul 07, 2009
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About Nishi Hongu Honden HallJul 07, 2009
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This is a must-see shrine. Very ornate and colorful, similar to Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. Important Cultural Property.Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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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Jul 07, 2009
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In the middle is the Haiden for Higashi Hongu.Jul 07, 2009
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Romon Gate rearJul 07, 2009
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Shirayama-gu Shrine HaidenJul 07, 2009
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Omiya Bridge happens to be an Important Cultural Property. 大宮橋Jul 07, 2009
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Entering Nishi Hongu Shrine.Jul 07, 2009
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The gate gives a hint of what's to come.Jul 07, 2009
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Way to Hiyoshi Toshogu, in the same direction as the Hieizan cable car.Jul 07, 2009
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Nishi Hongu Haiden HallJul 07, 2009
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Directly behind the Haiden is the Nishi Hongu Honden HallJul 07, 2009
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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Jul 07, 2009
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About the Romon Gate in Japanese.Jul 07, 2009
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Right side of Higashi Hongu Honden. The front looks almost identical to Nishi Hongu.Jul 07, 2009
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Portable shrines (called shinyo instead of mikoshi) are placed in the Haiden for the Sanno-sai Festival.Jul 07, 2009
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Ninomiya Bridge leading to Higashi Hongu Shrine. 二宮橋Jul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Jizo statueJul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Jizo 早尾地蔵尊Jul 07, 2009
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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."Jul 07, 2009
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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. MAPJul 07, 2009
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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.Jul 07, 2009
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Torii at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Two of the shrine's main structures are National Treasures.Jul 07, 2009
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Hiyoshi Taisha's tea field, Japan's oldest.During 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/Jul 07, 2009
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