Yahiko Shrine

photo by くろふね · CC BY 3.0

photo by Kakidai · CC BY-SA 4.0

The great torii, 30 metres tall, was the tallest in Japan when it went up in 1982.

The entrance torii, 30 metres tall, was the tallest in Japan when it was erected in 1982; beyond it, the avenue climbs between centuries-old cryptomeria trees to the shrine dedicated to Amenokagoyama-no-Mikoto, the deity to whom tradition attributes the birth of farming and fishing in the Echigo region. Mount Yahiko, 634 metres, behind the building, is its sacred body. In the park next door, the momiji valley lights up every autumn with an evening illumination.

According to the shrine's tradition, Amenokagoyama-no-Mikoto completed the work of civilising the region and passed away in the first year of the legendary Emperor Kōan (392 BC). Raised to the rank of national shrine of middle grade (国幣中社) in the Meiji era, it now has the special status of 別表神社. The current torii, 30 metres tall, was built in 1982 and was then the tallest in Japan.

ℹ️ Address: 〒959-0393 新潟県西蒲原郡弥彦村弥彦2887-2. The shrine and the park are always open and free of charge; the amulet office has its own hours, to be checked on the official site. In the park, the momiji valley (もみじ谷) is lit up in the evening during the autumn foliage season.

🚉 Yahiko · 17 min walk

Sources: yahiko-jinjya.or.jp · ja.wikipedia.org · niigata-kankou.or.jp

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