Toga Shrine, shrine in Miyake, Tokyo
Toga Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary in Miyake built on a mountaintop offering views of Mikawa Bay and distant peaks. The grounds feature a main worship hall rebuilt in the 1960s, smaller shrines dedicated to different deities, red torii gates marking the sacred space, and traditional structures including a drum storage tower on the south side.
The shrine was established around 700 and served as a protective sanctuary for the Tokai region. It gained prominence as a major shrine and was documented in historical records from around 850, maintaining its status through periods of warfare while being protected by local warriors.
The shrine serves as a gathering place where visitors express their hopes through wooden plaques and participate in seasonal rituals that connect them to local traditions. The annual May festival brings the community together to honor the deities and reinforce shared customs that have been practiced for generations.
The shrine is easily reached by public transport, about a ten-minute walk from a nearby train station. During the May festival, visiting by train or bus is recommended as parking becomes crowded, and visitors should allow time to walk slowly through the grounds and observe the activities.
During the May festival, the Yabusame event features riders shooting arrows with bows while galloping on horseback through the shrine grounds. This rare display of traditional samurai archery draws spectators and offers visitors a glimpse of a martial art form rarely seen outside this annual celebration.
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