Hiyoshi Taisha, Shinto shrine in Sakamoto, Japan
Hiyoshi Taisha is a Shinto shrine located at the base of Mount Hiei in Otsu, featuring two principal halls named Higashi-hongu and Nishi-hongu. Five smaller worship buildings surround these main structures, connected by stone pathways that wind through a forest of cedar trees on the mountain slope.
The shrine was founded more than 2100 years ago and appears in the ancient Kojiki chronicles as a sacred site in the region. Over time, it became the head shrine for approximately 3800 branch shrines across the country that now carry the names Hiyoshi, Sanno, or Hie.
The annual Sanno Festival spans one and a half months, featuring seven mikoshi transported across Lake Biwa in a sacred boat during April celebrations.
The shrine is located roughly a ten-minute walk from Sakamoto Station on the Keihan Electric Railway and opens daily from 9 in the morning to half past 4 in the afternoon. Stone steps can become slippery during winter, so wearing solid shoes and walking carefully during rain helps avoid any discomfort.
Stone monkeys named Masaru stand at the Romon gate, serving as guardians against evil spirits while facing the four cardinal directions. These monkey figures reflect the old belief that monkeys are sacred messengers capable of keeping misfortune away.
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