Hiyoshi Taisha shrine [日吉大社]

Hiyoshi Taisha is a Shinto shrine located at the eastern foot of Mount Hiei.

It is about 0.5 to 1.1 km west of the stations of Keihan Railway and JR.
And, the station of cable car to the top of Mount Hiei and Enryakuji temple is about 0.5 km south of this shrine.

Before recorded history, Mount Hachioji to the northwest of this shrine had been worshiped as a sacred mountain.

Two shrines were set up around the top of the mountain.
It is said that the foundation was in 91 B.C. in legend. (But it is hard to believe.)

After that, new shrine was constructed at the foot of the mountain in 668.
Then, this shrine became large with both old shrines and new shrine.

This shrine is located to the northeast of central Kyoto.
It is at the unhappy direction in a Japanese traditional cosmology.
So, like Enryakuji, this shrine was worshiped as the guardian god.

Now, this is the head shrine of about 2,000 Shinto shrines named as "Hiyoshi", "Hie" or "Sannou" in Japan.

In the broad precinct, there are many small shrines.
But two shrines of them are main.

They are Higashi-Hongu (東本宮, East Shrine) and Nishi-Hongu (西本宮, West Shrine).
Both shrines are designated as national treasures.

And, many of the other shrines are designated as important cultural properties.

After walking from the railway stations to the west, there is a Torii gate first and it is the entrance of Hiyoshi Shrine.

Higashi-Hongu is about 0.2 km north of the Torii gate.

There is Roumon gate and the precinct is to the north.
Main shrine, Juge Shrine, and some buildings are in the precinct.

Nishi-Hongu is about 0.3 km west of the Torii gate.

On the way, there is a Torii gate with a triangular part.
It is called Sanno-Torii (山王鳥居), and is the symbol of Hiyoshi Shrine.

There is Roumon gate and the precinct is to the north.
Main shrine, Usa Shrine, and some buildings are in the precinct.

Monkey is regarded as the messenger of gods, so we can see the real monkeys and the charms with the picture of monkey in this shrine.

How to get here

By JR Kosei Line, to Hieizan-Sakamoto, about 17 minutes from Kyoto.
Then about 20 minutes walk (1.1 km) from there.

Or, by Keihan Railway, to Sakamoto-Hieizan-guchi terminal, about 16 minutes from Biwako-Hamaotsu.
Then about 8 minutes walk (0.5 km) from there.

Other Tourist Attractions in Shiga Prefecture

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