Higashiōno hachiman-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan

Higashiōno hachiman-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyūshū, with over 1,300 years of history. Its hall was rebuilt in 1749 after a donation by Ogasawara Tadamoto, lord of Kokura Castle, and is covered with numerous carvings. The shrine stands on the edge of the Hiraodai karst plateau, whose guardian deity it is.

The shrine has a history of more than 1,300 years. On 20 February 1749 (Kanei 2), Ogasawara Tadamoto, lord of Kokura Castle, presented offerings to it, and the shrine buildings were rebuilt with his support. The rebuilt hall carries numerous carvings.

The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, a god revered as a protector of warriors and guardian of Japan. Visitors notice wooden prayer plaques with wishes, offerings, and people performing rituals like hand cleansing at water basins and clapping their hands before prayer.

The shrine is a three-minute drive from the Kokuraminami IC on the Kyushu Expressway. It stands on the karst plateau of Hiraodai, whose deity it serves, so many visitors combine a New Year prayer with the first sunrise seen from the plateau. The grounds are reached on foot within the shrine precinct.

The shrine features symbols of arrows and bows, as Hachiman is connected to the skill of archery. Some Hachiman shrines offer traditional archery fields where visitors can test their skill and feel connected to this ancient practice.