Located in the picturesque town of Eiheiji, in the Sagawa River valley, Asamatsu Jinja is one of Japan's oldest and most beautiful Shinto shrines. The shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okami, patron deity of rice, fertility, and industry. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Lake Biwa from the shrine grounds.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari
- Coordinates
- 34.770957, 135.9304522
Visitor tip
To experience traditional Japanese hospitality, try some local delicacies at the shrine's gift shop or at a nearby teahouse before visiting the shrine.
Cultural notes
Asamatsu Jinja is known for its annual Autumn Leaves Festival, which attracts visitors from across Japan. The shrine is also famous for its unique 'Hoshigaki' sake production facilities, where local sake makers produce traditional junmai daiginjo sake using rice grown in the surrounding countryside.
Historical note
Established in 718 CE, during the Nara period