A significant Shinto shrine in Inuyama, Gifu Prefecture, renowned for its fertility prayers and unique festivals. The shrine is particularly famous for its Hōnen Matsuri (fertility festival) held annually in March, featuring processions with phallic symbols to pray for good harvests and fertility.
- Denomination
- fertility and harvest
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- fertility and agricultural deities
- Kami enshrined
- Tamahime-no-mikoto, Takeinadane-no-mikoto
- Founding
- Kofun period
- Coordinates
- 35.330152, 136.9669995
Visitor tip
Visit during the Hōnen Matsuri in March for the famous fertility festival, but be prepared for large crowds and explicit traditional symbols.
Cultural notes
The shrine's fertility festivals represent one of Japan's most openly celebrated fertility rituals, showcasing ancient connections between Shinto worship, agricultural cycles, and human fertility. These celebrations demonstrate the practical, life-affirming aspects of traditional Shinto beliefs.
Historical note
Ogata Shrine has ancient origins dating back over 1,500 years, established during the Kofun period. The shrine has long been associated with agricultural fertility and harvest prayers, reflecting its importance to local farming communities. Its fertility festivals have deep roots in ancient Shinto agricultural rituals.