Ho-sono Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to the worship of Shirota-no-kami, a local deity associated with good fortune and prosperity. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional Japanese architecture, including a five-story pagoda and a beautiful garden. The shrine is also famous for its sake brewery, which produces high-quality sake using traditional methods.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Shirota-no-kami
- Kami enshrined
- Shirota-no-kami
- Coordinates
- 34.7680891, 135.8015312
Visitor tip
Visit Ho-sono Shrine during cherry blossom season to witness a beautiful display of pink flowers in the garden.
Cultural notes
Shrine's five-story pagoda is reminiscent of traditional Buddhist structures, reflecting the syncretic nature of Shinto and Buddhist traditions. The shrine also holds an annual Hikone Matsuri festival, which takes place in May and features traditional performances, food stalls, and sake breweries.
Historical note
The shrine was founded during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) by Emperor Montoku of Japan.