The Yatagarasu Shrine in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture is dedicated to the mythical raven god Hikoboshi, and its history dates back to the 7th century. The shrine was originally built during the Asuka period (593-710 CE), but it has undergone several reconstructions since then. The current main hall, a traditional Japanese-style structure with a tiled roof, is from the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE). Visitors can see a beautiful garden and a unique yurei bridge that crosses over the shrine's stream.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hikoboshi
- Kami enshrined
- Hikoboshi
- Coordinates
- 35.1167875, 135.7719515
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's beauty, visit at sunrise to catch the gentle ripples of the stream reflecting the rising sun.
Cultural notes
Hikoboshi is a legendary spirit believed to traverse the sky on a bridge between the mortal world and the afterlife during the Star Festival (Tanabata). The shrine celebrates this festival with a lantern-hanging ceremony, where visitors write wishes on lanterns and hang them from trees surrounding the shrine.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built during the Asuka period.