Yuga Shrine (Main Shrine)

Yuga Shrine Main Shrine sits atop Mount Yuga, a sacred mountain with over 2,000 years of history in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. The main shrine originated from the Iwakura faith and later flourished as a place of prayer for the imperial court. During the Edo period, it prospered under the protection of Ikeda Kō, the lord of Okayama. The site is dedicated to Yuga Daigongen, one of Japan's three great gongen, and has been revered for centuries as a powerful spiritual center.

The shrine is widely recognized as the head temple for warding off evil spirits. From the Omotesando approach, there are symbolic stone steps numbering 19, 25, 33, 42, and 61—each corresponding to ages associated with warding off misfortune. The adjacent Rendai-ji Temple was founded by the Bodhisattva Gyoki approximately 1,300 years ago, exemplifying the unique blending of Shinto and Buddhist traditions at this mountain complex. The guest hall at Rendai-ji houses Okyo Maruyama's masterpiece "Bamboo and Chicken Drawing" and Japan's largest Daifudo statue dedicated to warding off evil spirits.

Visitors experience a sacred mountain atmosphere with historic temple-town streetscapes preserved along the approach. The shrine attracts over 350,000 worshipers annually during the first three days of the New Year. Since ancient times, the "ryo mairi" pilgrimage tradition has involved visiting both Mount Yuga and Konpira-san in Kagawa Prefecture, making this site part of a significant historical pilgrimage route. The shrine grounds feature distinctive elements including a torii gate made of Bizen ware and various noteworthy cultural artifacts.

The shrine is accessible by car with approximately 1,000 free parking spaces available. By public transport, take the train from JR Okayama Station to JR Kurashiki Station (approximately 17 minutes), then the shrine is about 10-15 minutes on foot. By car, the site is approximately 20 minutes from Kurashiki IC on the Sanyo Expressway or from Hayashima IC on the Seto Chuo Expressway. The shrine is open year-round, 24 hours a day, with no admission fee required.