Hioka Shrine

Standing in Kakogawa City in Hyogo, Hioka Shrine is a venerable classical shrine boasting a history of about thirteen hundred years. Said to have been founded around the Tempyo and Jinki eras of the Nara period, and listed in the Engishiki of the Heian period, it has gathered the faith of locals as one of the foremost old shrines of the Harima region.

The chief deity is Ame no Isasahiko no Mikoto. According to shrine tradition, when Inabi no Oiratsume, empress of Emperor Keiko, faced childbirth, this deity prayed for a safe delivery over seven days and seven nights, and twin princes were born safely. From this episode the shrine gained fame as a god of safe childbirth, and even now worshippers come without pause for prayers of safe delivery and first shrine visits for newborns. Widely known across eastern Harima as a shrine of safe childbirth, it draws many expectant mothers and their families on the day of the dog.

Highlights

• The appearance of an old shrine that tells of thirteen centuries of history
• The venerable tradition of prayers for an empress safe birth
• The deep faith of people wishing for safe birth, conception, and child-rearing
• The distinctive February rite of silence known as the Inami seven-day seclusion
• A historical stroll combined with the nearby Hioka imperial tomb

Enjoying the Seasons

On the day of the dog the shrine bustles with worshippers praying for safe childbirth, and during the seasons of first shrine visits and the Shichi-Go-San festival many families can be seen. The grand festival is held on the second Saturday and Sunday of October, offering a chance to touch local tradition. The grounds keep a calm atmosphere through every season, and in the seasons of cherry blossoms and fresh greenery you can enjoy a leisurely visit.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Ono, Kakogawacho, Kakogawa City, Hyogo
• Access: About 6 minutes on foot from Hioka Station on the JR Kakogawa Line, with parking available
• Hours: Grounds open freely, with prayers within the shrine office reception times
• Admission: Free, with a separate fee for prayers

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season: For safe-birth prayers, the day of the dog, and for family ceremonies, the autumn season of first shrine visits and Shichi-Go-San. The cherry blossoms of spring and fresh greenery of early summer make the grounds pleasant to stroll
• Time of day: The day of the dog and the Shichi-Go-San season get crowded, so an early morning hour is recommended for a relaxed visit
• Time needed: About 20 to 30 minutes for the visit alone. If you receive a prayer, allow about an hour including reception and waiting time
• Nearby real spots: Within walking distance is the Hioka tomb, said to be the burial mound of Inabi no Oiratsume, about 85 meters long, for a historical stroll together. The central Kakogawa area and the riverside also make for walks
• Budget feel: The visit is free, and a prayer offering is generally a few thousand yen

A Quick Tip

If you are praying for safe childbirth, visiting on the day of the dog, named for the zodiac, is a long-standing custom. With parking available, visiting by car is reassuring. Pairing it with the nearby Hioka tomb makes a stroll that recalls the ancient history of Harima. It is also a fitting shrine for ceremonies wishing for a child growth.

📚 Sources

For Hioka Shrine, the shrine's own history, its faith as a deity of safe childbirth, and the guidance on its rites (the Inami seven-day seclusion and the grand festival) are reliable references. Its standing as a shrine listed in the Engishiki and the tradition that the deity prayed for the empress's safe delivery can be confirmed through the shrine's records and on-site guidance. For the nearby Hioka Ryo burial mound, Kakogawa City's information is helpful. Visiting hours, prayer-reception hours and offering amounts may change, so please confirm the shrine's official information before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Approximate time needed: About 20 to 30 minutes for worship alone, or roughly an hour if receiving a prayer, including reception and waiting.
• What to bring and prepare: Worship is free; a formal prayer typically involves an offering of a few thousand yen, so bring cash. Parking is provided, so a car is fine. It is crowded on Dog Days and during the Shichi-Go-San season.
• Suggested route: Worship about six minutes on foot from JR Hioka Station and combine it with the nearby Hioka Ryo burial mound to enjoy a walk through ancient Harima history, following the flow described in the article.