Located in the Hikone Castle town of Shiga Prefecture, Kuroda Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Inari Okami, revered as the patron of rice, industry, and fertility. The shrine's architecture showcases traditional Japanese design elements, with a main hall (honden) constructed from white paper mache and covered in vermilion lacquer, while its wooden pillars are adorned with sacred trees. Visitors can explore the shrine's precincts to discover various shrines dedicated to other deities, including the god of war, Kunitake-no-kami, and the god of learning, Fushichiro Saneyama.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Kunitake-no-kami, Fushichiro Saneyama
- Coordinates
- 35.5139883, 136.2142427
Visitor tip
To avoid crowds, visit the shrine early in the morning or later in the evening to experience a serene atmosphere.
Cultural notes
Kuroda Shrine is famous for its annual Hikone Festival (Hikone Matsuri), which takes place in September and features traditional dances, music, and food stalls. The shrine also holds a spring festival honoring Inari Okami, where participants can offer prayers and receive blessings at the sacred torii gate.
Historical note
Founded in 1594 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.