Yuga Shrine (Main Shrine)

It’s so sacred environment. And actually there are a lot of things to see inside. Interesting. Recommend to go there once if you’re staying nearby.

It was only when I held the Goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) in my hand that I truly felt the significance of this shrine. Yuga Shrine Honmiya, along with Rendaiji Temple, is the central shrine of a complex of sacred sites dedicated to "Yuga Daigongen." The presence of the worship hall, with its plaque and large lanterns, stands in stark contrast to the tranquility of the approach to the shrine. The calligraphy on the Goshuin I received is powerful, and the Reiwa date and the shrine's name are condensed onto a single sheet of paper—more than enough reason to take it home. Many people visit it as one of two shrines, but Honmiya alone is a destination in itself. Thank you very much ⛩

I received a prayer there. It was a wonderful place. The grounds were spacious and there were stalls, so I was able to enjoy my visit. It was a fun shrine with a variety of things to see and do, and it was a good distance for a walk.

Most shrines offer car blessings, and since it would be a hassle to go out wearing shallow sandals (asagutsu) that are already difficult to walk in, they usually allow cars to drive up to near the shrine office and set up a blessing area. However, at Yuga Shrine, the only way to reach the main hall is via a staircase commonly known as the "Exorcism Staircase." Visitors are required to climb these stairs, go to the shrine office, pay the offering fee, and then proceed to the main hall to receive a blessing. Afterward, they descend the stairs again to the car blessing area, a rather arduous procedure. Whether it's a delivery vehicle, a royal car, or someone in a wheelchair, everyone must climb and descend the steep stairs to reach the main hall. The uphill slope begins right from the approach road, which is accessible by car. The slope then turns into stairs, and continuing straight up leads to the inner sanctuary of Rendaiji Temple, further up – it's quite a place. If you only want to visit the main shrine, climb the stairs for warding off evil and turn right; you'll reach the main shrine approach. To your right is the shrine office, and behind you is the tea house of the Yukayama Kaikan Jojuden, which offers a great view. The main shrine has a corridor under the eaves directly beneath the veranda, resembling a Kaidan Meguri (a pilgrimage route). You can walk around it clockwise from the left, or you can enter through the difficult-to-pass torii gate in the corridor in front of the main shrine, where Tenjin-sama is enshrined (popular with children). Furthermore, there's a shrine to the octopus god, a god of the sea, for prayers for a bountiful catch, and a sesame incense burner, common in shrines in the Chugoku region. While they sell it along the approach to the shrine, their specialty is anko mochi (rice cakes covered in sweet bean paste), which can also be purchased within the shrine grounds. They also have character-themed amulets, making it a very thoughtful shrine. The way you pass through the main shrine grounds on your way to Rendaiji Temple is a clear example of the blending of the two temples, and it's a temple and shrine complex that can be explored in a full day as a tourist. Besides this main shrine, there's also a Yuga Shrine in Wake, Okayama Prefecture. The nearest station is Kaminomachi Station on the Honshi-Bisan Line, but the long uphill road makes it impractical to walk (you'll be surprised when you see the shrine!). The distance is about an hour, but considering the incline, it takes almost two hours. It's about a 30-minute taxi ride from Kojima Station. If you're going by car, take the Kojima IC exit on the Seto-Chuo Expressway towards Kojima/Tamano, turn right onto Route 430 at the Ogino-Tawaguchi intersection, turn left north at the Kotoura Police Box intersection, and turn right at the Kami-no-machi Kita intersection. This will take you onto the Yuga Bypass. Turn right at the end of the bypass, and the signs for Hongu will guide you from there.

It seems to be famous as a shrine for warding off evil. It's quite a distance from the parking lot, and the stairs are steep, so I wouldn't recommend it for people with mobility issues. I received a Goshuin (shrine stamp).