Shinzan Shrine

Shinzan Shrine in Oga City is an old shrine set on Mount Shinzan, one of the three sacred peaks of Oga. According to shrine tradition, in the age of Emperor Keiko, when Takenouchi-no-Sukune toured the northern provinces, he came down to the land of Oga, climbed Yushutsuzan, the former name of Mount Shinzan, and enshrined the deity Ninigi-no-Mikoto. Later it received the devotion of successive lords such as the Ando and Satake families, and in the Meiji era it was renamed Shinzan Shrine. Deeply tied to the Namahage legend of Oga, it is a center of local faith.

Highlights

- A storied old shrine set on Mount Shinzan, one of the three sacred peaks of Oga - A shrine with a long history said to begin with the deeds of Takenouchi-no-Sukune - A sacred site of mountain worship deeply tied to the Namahage legend - A solemn, quiet air drifting through cedar-shrouded precincts

Enjoying the Seasons

From spring into summer the mountain trees are wrapped in green, and merely walking the path calms the heart. In autumn the surrounding foliage is beautiful, and its harmony with the old shrine makes for a graceful season. Winter is also when rites tied to the Namahage are held, and the snow-clad precincts give off an even more mysterious mood.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: Kitaura Shinzan, Oga City, Akita - Access: About thirty minutes by car from JR Oga Station - Parking available - Facilities such as the Namahage Museum are nearby

A Quick Tip

Facilities conveying the Namahage culture are scattered across the Shinzan area. Touring the surroundings along with your shrine visit lets you feel the faith and culture of Oga more deeply. As it is a mountain-set shrine, visit in comfortable clothing.