Mikami Shrine, Shinto shrine in Yasu, Japan
Mikami Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary in Yasu with a main building featuring white painted walls and a distinctive East Asian roof at the foot of Mount Mikami. The structure showcases traditional Japanese architecture and is designated as a National Treasure of Japan.
The shrine was founded in 718 by Fujiwara no Fuhito and later recognized as an Imperial shrine of the second rank. This recognition in the 20th century confirmed its long significance in Japan's religious and political history.
The Zuiki Festival happens every October and brings the community together to celebrate the harvest with traditional ceremonies. During this festival, plants and crops are used to decorate the shrine in a colorful display.
The shrine is accessible from Yasu Station, and visitors should expect a pleasant walk through natural surroundings at the foot of the mountain. The best time to visit is during milder seasons when the paths are easy to navigate.
Archaeologists discovered 24 bronze bells called dōtaku at the base of Mount Mikami, showing that the site held religious importance during the Yayoi period. These ancient artifacts indicate that the location has been revered as sacred for more than two thousand years.
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