Shirahige shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Shirahige Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Japan beside Lake Biwa, founded over 1900 years ago and among the oldest in the region. The sanctuary features wooden structures with curved roofs surrounded by ancient trees and stone lanterns, while its famous red torii gate stands in the water offshore.
The shrine was founded over 1900 years ago and is one of the oldest in the Omi region. It has endured as a spiritual center for centuries and now holds Japan Heritage status, recognizing its historical and cultural importance to the nation.
The shrine is dedicated to Sarutahiko-no-Ōkami, a deity believed to guide travelers and grant longevity and safe journeys. Visitors come to pray for protection and good fortune, while wooden wish plaques and ritual practices reflect the spiritual traditions that connect the community to this sacred place.
Visit early in the morning to see the sunrise through the torii gate, or in the evening when the gate is illuminated on weekends and holidays. The shrine is about a 20-minute walk from Omi-Takashima train station, with limited parking available for those who drive.
The red torii gate stands directly in the lake water and moves with the waves while fishing boats regularly pass by it. Photographers treasure the mirror reflections in still water, and the evening illumination on weekends and holidays creates a distinct visual experience rarely seen elsewhere.
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