Takeda Godai Shrine, also known as Takeda no Sato or Yabu no Kane, is a Shinto shrine in the town of Hikita, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to Tamayama no kami, but enshrines Oinaginoi, a minor deity associated with rice, and several other local deities. Its architecture reflects the Heian period, with a rectangular main hall and a sacred square in front. During the New Year's festival, known as Ōmisoka, lanterns are hung from the shrine's wooden pillars, while during the spring equinox festival, Oinaginoi is believed to have descended into the nearby Kama River. The shrine is also famous for its 500-year-old 'Yamato-matsuri' festival, which celebrates the arrival of the imperial family in Japan.
- Religion
- shinto
- Kami enshrined
- Oinaginoi
- Coordinates
- 34.239964, 132.5952481
Visitor tip
Visitors can purchase a special Oinaginoi-sake, brewed exclusively at the shrine during the spring equinox festival.
Cultural notes
The shrine's architecture is significant as it features a sacred square, known as a 'haiden,' which was typical of Heian-period Shinto shrines. The Yabu no Kane bell tower, built in 1622, is also notable for its unique architecture.