Hiyoshi Taisha

What makes this place special?

At a Glance

Hiyoshi Taisha is a historic Shinto shrine in Ōtsu, Shiga, heading Japan's 7th largest shrine network with ~3,800 affiliated shrines. One of the Twenty-Two Shrines, it enshrines Ōkuninushi and Oyamakui. Its buildings are National Treasures.

Ancient Historic National Treasure Shinto Shrine

Why you should go

1

This shrine heads Japan's 7th largest network with roughly 3,800 affiliated shrines nationwide, spreading from its base as spiritual protector of Kyoto's vulnerable northeast direction.

2

In 668 AD, Emperor Tenji moved the imperial protector deity from Yamato Province to this shrine when relocating Japan's capital to nearby Ōtsu, making it guardian of the emperor himself.