An important auxiliary shrine serving as the otabisho (temporary resting place) for Kasuga Taisha's sacred kami during festival processions. This shrine plays a crucial role in the ritual geography of Nara's most prominent Shinto complex, serving as a staging point where the portable shrines rest during major festivals before returning to the main Kasuga Taisha complex.
- Denomination
- Kasuga
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Four Kasuga deities
- Kami enshrined
- Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, Futsunushi-no-mikoto, Amenokoyane-no-mikoto, Himegami
- Coordinates
- 34.6800881, 135.8286066
Visitor tip
Visit during festival times to witness the rare sight of portable shrines resting here during processions between the main Kasuga Taisha complex.
Cultural notes
The concept of otabisho represents an important aspect of Shinto ritual practice, where kami are believed to travel and temporarily reside outside their main shrine during festivals, blessing the surrounding community and reinforcing spiritual connections across the landscape.
Historical note
Established as part of the Kasuga Taisha shrine network, this otabisho has served for centuries as a ritual waystation during the famous Kasuga Matsuri and other important ceremonies. The shrine maintains the traditional function of providing a temporary dwelling place for the kami during their processions through Nara, reflecting ancient Shinto practices of divine mobility and territorial blessing.