Uda Mikumari Shrine

Uda Mikumari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture composed of three interconnected buildings in Kasuga style, situated within traditional gardens. The complex serves as a National Treasure of Japan and displays the hallmark features of this classical shrine architecture.

The main hall was built in 1320 during the final years of the Kamakura period and later received National Treasure status for its architectural significance. This construction date makes it a key example of shrine architecture from this transitional era.

The shrine honors Mikumari, a female water deity, and visitors can observe how local communities perform ceremonies that weave spiritual practice into everyday life. The rituals reflect the agricultural region's dependence on water and show how this place has remained woven into the fabric of local identity.

The shrine is located at 244-3 Utano-ken in Uda and is accessible year-round, though it helps to check ahead for ceremony schedules that may affect visitor access. The traditional gardens are best experienced during daylight hours when you can fully appreciate the architectural details.

The three buildings are unusually connected to one another, a structural arrangement that remains rare among Japanese shrines and represents a distinctive architectural solution. This design reflects how the complex was adapted to suit the site's geographical and functional needs.