Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine is located in Sakamoto in Otsu City.

Hiyoshi-Taisha was built before the eighth century. "Kojiki", the oldest history book written in 712, described Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine. As the location of Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine is an unlucky direction from the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine became a shrine to avert calamities.

Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine consists of 21 branch shrines, including East Main Shrine and West Main Shrine. When you pass through the first guard frame and the Sanno guard frame, you will arrive at the front of West Main Shrine.

The gate tower of West Main Shrine, vermilion in color, was rebuilt in 1586. Behind the gate, the main hall of West Main Shrine is located.

After Enryakuji Temple was built in 788, Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine became as a guardian shrine of Enryakuji Temple. During the middle ages, in the Heian Age, the Kamakura Age and the Muromachi Age, Enryakuji Temple and Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine displayed strong political power.

ODA Nobunaga caused the Siege of Mount Hiei to destroy such political power in 1571 and Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine was seriously damaged by the siege. The main hall was rebuilt in 1586 and is designated as a national treasure of Japan.

On the way from West Main Shrine to East Main Shrine, "Usa" Shrine and "Hakusan" Shrine are located. The main hall of "Usa" Shrine was rebuilt in 1598. The style of the building is known as "Hie Tsukuri".

On the east side of "Usa" Shrine, "Hakusan" Shrine is located. "Hakusan" Shrine was also rebuilt in 1598. TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, the successor of ODA Nobunaga, was a religious believer of Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine and gave great support to rebuild many buildings destroyed at the Siege of Mount Hiei.

Finally, you will arrive at East Main Shrine. The main hall of East Main Shrine was rebuilt in 1595. The style of the building is also "Hie Style". The main hall of East Main Shrine is also a national treasure of Japan.

Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine used to have more than hundreds of branch shrines. Their numbers were reduced to 21. However, the area of Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine is huge and you can feel a solemn atmosphere at Hiyoshi-Taisha Shrine.

How to get there
Take Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line of Keihan Railway to Sakamoto Terminal. "Hiyoshi-Taisha" Shrine is a 10 minute walk from Sakamoto Station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Enryakuji Temple
Sakamoto
Onjyoji Temple