Masakatsu-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan

Masakatsu-jinja is a Shinto shrine in the city of Asago that greets visitors with a wide stone-paved path leading to the main building. The wooden structure features a characteristic curved roof with edges that turn upward, and is lit by lanterns positioned along the path, especially during evening hours.

Founded by tradition in 720 (Tenpyō 2) during the Nara period, the shrine was a village shrine (sonsha) in the old ranking system. The present main hall (honden) was built in 1859 (Ansei 6) and the worship hall (haiden) in 1868 (Keiō 4), at the end of the Edo period.

The shrine is known as a place where visitors write their wishes on wooden plaques called ema and hang them for good fortune. People leave small offerings such as flowers and folded paper ornaments as part of their prayers for health, success, and happiness.

The shrine stands at 2143 Awaka, Yanto-cho, Asago. From JR San'in Main Line Yanase Station it is about 10 minutes by taxi; from Wadayama Station take the Zentan bus bound for Shiba and get off at Awaka-jinja-mae, then walk 30 minutes. By car it is about 5 minutes from the Santo IC on the Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway and about 10 minutes from the Wadayama IC on the Bantan Renraku Road.

The shrine hosts traditional dances and music during its festival celebrations, when people dressed in traditional attire perform ritual activities. Its spring festival draws many people together to celebrate the changing season and pray for a good year ahead.