Hohokabe-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hohokabe-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Tamba-Sasayama, Japan, made up of wooden buildings with red-tiled roofs and stone lanterns placed along the paths. A large torii gate stands at the entrance, and the main hall at the back of the grounds is where ceremonies take place.
The shrine was founded in 958, when a spirit from Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine was enshrined here, linking this site directly to the Gion tradition. That connection gave the place a role beyond local worship and tied it to one of the most recognized shrine lineages in Japan.
The shrine is dedicated to Susanoo, a kami associated with storms and the sea in Shinto tradition. Visitors can see small offerings left by locals and wooden boards where people write personal wishes and hang them near the main hall.
The shrine can be reached by bus from JR Sasayama-guchi Station followed by a short walk, and is also easy to reach by car. Going in the morning tends to be quieter, as the grounds see more visitors as the day goes on.
An old cedar tree near the entrance is large enough that its branches are visible from a distance, making it a natural landmark before you even reach the gate. Trees of this kind at shrines are often marked with twisted straw rope to show they are considered sacred in their own right.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
