Most viewed - Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine 日吉大社 |
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 298 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.222 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.188 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.162 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135 views
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118 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."108 views
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Directly behind the Haiden is the Nishi Hongu Honden Hall106 views
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Sacred Rock for the monkey spirit. 猿の霊石106 views
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Sacred Monkey. The monkey is the shrine god's messenger.105 views
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It is actually a boat dock on Lake Biwa.105 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's tea field, Japan's oldest.104 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 Honden Hall worships the god (Onamuchi-no-kami) protecting the nation. This current structure was built in 1586. 西本宮 本殿104 views
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Sacred Monkey cage on left and Sacred Horse on the right (dummy horse).104 views
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Nishi Hongu Haiden Hall103 views
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103 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102 views
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102 views
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The gate gives a hint of what's to come.100 views
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100 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Sanno Torii rear view.98 views
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Monkey sculpture on all four corners of the Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu.97 views
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Jizo 早尾地蔵尊96 views
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96 views
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Shirayama-gu Shrine Honden Hall. Important Cultural Property built in 1598. 白山宮 本殿96 views
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Usa-gu Shrine Honden 宇佐宮 本殿95 views
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95 views
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Unlike the other shrines, you can actually go inside this shrine hall.94 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu Shrine is an Important Cultural Property. 楼門93 views
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92 views
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In the middle is the Haiden for Higashi Hongu.92 views
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91 views
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Next to Nishi Hongu is Usa-gu Shrine.91 views
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90 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.90 views
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90 views
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Sanno Torii lit up in autumn at night in Nov. 山王鳥居89 views
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89 views
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A small admission is charged to enter the shrine. 求法寺89 views
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Jizo statue88 views
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88 views
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Yomiya-jo88 views
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Secondary shrines in need of repair (donations welcome).88 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. MAP87 views
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87 views
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Near Nishi Hongu is this small river and restaurant.87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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Nishi Hongu is also lit up at night during autumn.87 views
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87 views
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86 views
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Portable shrines (called shinyo instead of mikoshi) are placed in the Haiden for the Sanno-sai Festival.85 views
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About the Romon Gate in Japanese.85 views
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85 views
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Kamei Sacred Well85 views
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85 views
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Inside portable shrine storehouse where retired portable shrines are kept. They are Important Cultural Properties.84 views
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84 views
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Kep walking straight and you will come to this Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu Shrine. 楼門84 views
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84 views
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84 views
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84 views
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83 views
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83 views
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83 views
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83 views
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The shrine also has a torii gate on the lake shore, next to Sakamoto Castle.83 views
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83 views
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Portable shrine storehouse83 views
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Shirayama-gu Shrine Haiden82 views
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Path to Higashi Hongu Shrine.82 views
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Omiya Bridge at night in autumn when they light up the leaves.82 views
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82 views
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81 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.81 views
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81 views
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81 views
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Omiya Bridge happens to be an Important Cultural Property. 大宮橋80 views
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Way to Shirayama-gu Shrine.80 views
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What to pray for at Hiyoshi Taisha.80 views
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79 views
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79 views
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79 views
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79 views
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79 views
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About Toshogu Shrine in Japanese.79 views
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79 views
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Torii at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Two of the shrine's main structures are National Treasures.78 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.78 views
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Ninomiya Bridge leading to Higashi Hongu Shrine. 二宮橋78 views
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78 views
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Entering Nishi Hongu Shrine.78 views
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Approaching Sanno Torii78 views
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Inside looks like brand new.78 views
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Romon Gate to Higashi Hongu78 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 1598.78 views
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78 views
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78 views
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78 views
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77 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.77 views
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77 views
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77 views
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76 views
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75 views
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Way to Hiyoshi Toshogu, in the same direction as the Hieizan cable car.75 views
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This is a must-see shrine. Very ornate and colorful, similar to Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. Important Cultural Property.75 views
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75 views
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75 views
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Romon Gate rear74 views
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74 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.74 views
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About Nishi Hongu Honden Hall74 views
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74 views
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73 views
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Right side of Higashi Hongu Honden. The front looks almost identical to Nishi Hongu.72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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Path to Mt. Hachioji where there are two more shrines.72 views
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71 views
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71 views
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70 views
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About the Higashi Hongu in Japanese.70 views
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70 views
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69 views
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69 views
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68 views
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68 views
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Thatched roof of Higashi Hongu.67 views
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65 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.57 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.57 views
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