Shirahige Shrine

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Temples and shrines
Takashima area

There is a large vermilion torii gate in the middle of the lake, and the main shrine is located across National Route 161. It is the oldest shrine in Omi, and is popularly known as "Shirahige-san" or "Myojin-san" and is also called Omi's Itsukushima. As the name suggests, it is known as the god of longevity and long life, and is also the "god of guidance" for all human activities and pursuits, such as matchmaking, fertility, good luck, academic success, road safety, and safe navigation. The enshrined deity is Sarutahiko-no-mikoto. It has a history of over 2000 years since its founding, and the current shrine was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's son Hideyori, with Katagiri Katsumoto as magistrate, according to his last command. The main hall has a clear square plan, and when the worship hall was rebuilt in the Meiji era, it was connected to the main hall, resulting in the complex roof structure we see today. The shrine is also famous for the "Naruko Mairi" ritual, in which a baby who turns two years old (by Japanese age reckoning) is given a name and prayers are offered for the child's safe growth. This ritual is held on the 2th and 9th of September, and is attended by worshippers from all over the country, including Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, as well as people from the surrounding area. Within the shrine grounds, there is a monument engraved with a poem that was written by Yosano Tekkan and Akiko, a married couple of poets from the Myojo school, when they visited the shrine. The shrine also enshrines Kotobuki-no-Kami, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Nishiomi.

*Please do not cross the national highway in front of Shirahige Shrine as it is extremely dangerous. If you wish to take photos of the torii gate in the lake, please use the observation deck "Lake Oumi Shirahigedai" in front of the shrine office.

　

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Address: 215 Ugawa, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture
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Contact: TEL：0740-36-1555

Access: Approximately 3km from JR Omi-Takashima Station
●Walk…About 40 minutes walk from Omi-Takashima Station (one way)
●Bicycle rental…Available for rental at the tourist information center inside Omi-Takashima Station (limited number of bicycles available)
●Reservation shared taxi…13 minutes on the Ukawa Line and get off at “Shirahige Jinja-mae” stop