Ominakami Jinja Shrine: A Water God Revered as the Second Shrine of Sanuki in Mitoyo, Kagawa

Ominakami Jinja, in Takase-cho in Mitoyo City, Kagawa, has long been revered as the second shrine of the old province of Sanuki. Its origins are said to reach back to the Yayoi or the Kofun era, and it is recorded as the second shrine of Sanuki in the ancient Engishiki register. Its main deity, the great god Ominakami, is a god of water, worshipped as a god tied to the harvest of fields and the source of all produce. The grounds are wrapped in beautiful forest and known as a quiet power spot. From ancient times, rituals to pray for rain were held here in times of drought, and a pool beside the shrine is said to be home to black and white eels. Wrapped in clear water and deep green, the shrine carries down to today an old form of the faith of Sanuki.

Highlights

• The long history as the second shrine of Sanuki, said to date from the Yayoi era
• The pure, calm air of the grounds enfolded in trees
• The legends tied to the pool where rain-prayer rituals were held, including the tale of the eels
• A landscape where the murmur of water and the green harmonize, fitting a place that honors a god of water
• The simple, graceful scene made by the clear stream running through the grounds and the bridge that crosses it

Enjoying the Seasons

From spring into early summer, fresh green colors the grounds, and it is a fine season to walk through the dappled light. In summer the shade of the forest is cool, well suited to a quiet visit. In autumn the surrounding trees take on color, deepening the calm mood. Winter has few visitors, and the crisp air lets you feel the solemn atmosphere of an ancient shrine. Rituals and festivals tied to water are held through the seasons, bound deeply to the life of the district.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Hakata, Takase-cho, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture
• Public transport is limited, so coming by car is convenient
• The location is easy to reach by car from the interchanges of the Takamatsu Expressway
• The grounds are surrounded by forest, so insect repellent is reassuring in some seasons
• The path can be slippery after rain, so watch your footing

Practical Travel Notes

• There are hours when no one staffs the shrine office, so if you would like a goshuin seal or an amulet it is reassuring to check availability in advance
• The approach and grounds have stone steps and unpaved sections, so visit in comfortable shoes
• Because it lies in the forest, mosquitoes are common in summer, and repellent or long sleeves add comfort
• Footing is slippery near the pool and the stream, so take care not to draw too close to the water
• As this is a quiet ancient shrine, refrain from loud voices or boisterous behavior and worship with respect for a place of local faith
• The location makes it easy to plan a half-day or full-day drive combined with other spots within the same Mitoyo City

A Quick Tip

This is a shrine whose charm lies in stillness itself, far from the bustle of tourist sites. Listen to the sound of water flowing through the forest as you walk the grounds slowly. Recalling the old legends about water makes the visit all the more meaningful. Precisely because it is a quiet place with few people, keep good manners and care for the environment, such as taking your rubbish home.

📚 Sources

The history of Ominakami Shrine (the second shrine of Sanuki Province) can be learned from its listing in the Engishiki register of deities, the guidance in the precinct, and the tourism information of Mitoyo City and Kagawa Prefecture. Traditions such as the rain-praying rites and the eel legend are also passed down in the community. Since the shrine office is not always staffed, it is reassuring to look up information on whether stamps and amulets are available if you want them. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please confirm the latest details on official sources before you go.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About 30 minutes for a quiet visit through the precinct; around an hour at a relaxed pace including the stream and surrounding scenery.
• What to bring: The approach and grounds have steps and unpaved sections, so wear comfortable shoes. As it lies in a forest, insect repellent and long sleeves are comfortable in summer.
• Suggested route: Pass through the torii and worship in the tree-shrouded grounds, then visit the pool linked to the rain-praying legend, the stream, and the bridge in the precinct.
• Consideration: This is a quiet old shrine, so take care not to get too close to the water and carry your trash home to protect the environment.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Location: Hikata, Takase-cho, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture (the Mitoyo City official website gives the address as "Hikata 2136-1," while the Mitoyo City Tourism Exchange Bureau gives "Hikata 2677-2")
• Visiting: You may stroll the grounds freely, but please refrain from visiting at night
• Goshuin stamps: On Sundays from a little after 13:30 until around 15:30. They may not be available when festivals or other ceremonies are being held (inquiries via Instagram @minakaminomori)
• Parking: Available. About 16 spaces in front of the torii gate and about 15 within the grounds
• Access: About 15 minutes from the Sanuki-Toyonaka IC and about 20 minutes from the Mitoyo-Tosaka IC. The nearest bus stop is "Ominakami-jinja" on the Saita-Takase line of the Mitoyo City community bus
• Photography restrictions: To protect the environment of the grounds, photography at night is prohibited except during festivals and events
• Highlights: The Miyagawa River, whose rock-slab bed is certified as part of Kagawa's water environment, runs through the grounds, and within the shrine forest lies "Unagi-buchi," the pool where rain-praying rites were performed

* Admission fees, parking fees and whether a priest is permanently on duty are not officially published (the grounds are free to stroll).

(Sources: Mitoyo City official website / Mitoyo City Tourism Exchange Bureau)