Yuki Shrine, Shinto shrine in Sakyō-ku, Japan
Yuki Shrine is a Shinto place of worship in the Kurama area featuring kakezukuri architecture, where buildings rest on wooden stilts anchored into the mountainside. The main hall is divided by a central corridor, creating distinct spaces while maintaining the architectural flow of the complex.
The shrine was established in 940 and relocated from the Imperial Palace following a major earthquake. This move led to its role as a protective guardian structure for the surrounding Kurama region.
Each October 22, the shrine grounds come alive with the Kurama Fire Festival, where locals carry large torches made from river reeds in a centuries-old ritual. This festival represents the community's living connection to the sacred site and its protective purpose.
The shrine sits close to Kurama Station and welcomes visitors throughout the year with no entrance fee required. Walking through the grounds is straightforward, with natural pathways that guide you through the sacred areas.
A stone guardian dog statue, recognized as an Important Cultural Property, depicts the animal holding a child in its arms. This figure represents the traditional protective role toward childbirth and parenthood at the site.
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