Located in the city of Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture, Dayotsu Jinsha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Okuninushi, a kami associated with agriculture and fertility. The shrine is famous for its 'yurei' (ghost) festival, which takes place on May 7th, where visitors are offered yurei-themed sweets as an offering. The shrine's architecture reflects the Heian period, with a wooden torii gate and a five-story pagoda. Locals often visit the shrine to pray for good harvests and protection from disease.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Okuninushi
- Kami enshrined
- Okuninushi, Nenokoyakujishinmaizuru-no-kami
- Coordinates
- 34.9029455, 137.533075
Visitor tip
Visitors can try the local specialty 'Dayotsu manju', a type of steamed bun filled with sweet bean paste, which is said to bring good luck and prosperity.
Cultural notes
Okuninushi, the primary kami enshrined at Dayotsu Jinsha, is also associated with the 'tsukimi' (moon viewing) festival, where visitors gather on autumn evenings to admire the full moon. The shrine's yurei-themed sweets are said to be inspired by Okuninushi's role as a protector of the dead.
Historical note
The shrine was built in 1746 by Lord Matsudaira Sadaaki as an ancestral shrine of the Matsudaira clan.