Hayasuhime Shrine

At the eastern edge of Oita City, in the port town of Saganoseki jutting into the Bungo Channel, sits Hayasuhime Shrine. This ancient shrine, whose very name is unusual to read, carries a grand legend tied to the eastern campaign of Emperor Jimmu.

According to the legend, long ago, when Emperor Jimmu tried to cross the Hayasui Strait of the Bungo Channel, a giant octopus living on the seafloor was guarding a sacred sword that calmed the tides. A pair of female diver sisters living in Seki dove deep, received the sacred sword from the octopus, and presented it to the emperor. Hayasuhime Shrine enshrines that sacred sword as its object of worship and is a shrine of warding off misfortune and inviting good luck.

Highlights

- Octopus motifs — The octopus motifs seen here and there on the grounds derive from the giant octopus that guarded the sacred sword. - Octopus-abstaining prayer — A rare prayer in which you dedicate a picture of an octopus and make a wish while refraining from eating octopus for a set period, said to bring fulfillment. - Halls rebuilt by Kato Kiyomasa — Dignified halls said to have been rebuilt by Kato Kiyomasa after being lost to the flames of war in the Keicho era.

Enjoying the Seasons

You can worship here all year round while feeling the sea breeze of a port town. In spring you enjoy calm sea views, and in summer the fresh air beneath blue sea and sky. From autumn into winter the air grows clear, and it is also recommended to visit alongside the liveliness of the Saganoseki fishing port. Combined with the local cuisine of the port town, known for its prized horse mackerel and mackerel, it makes for a fulfilling day.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: 3329 Saganoseki, Oita City, Oita Prefecture - Access: Take a bus toward Saganoseki from JR Kozaki Station. By car, about 40 minutes from central Oita City. - Parking: Available - Visiting: Grounds open freely

A Quick Tip

The octopus-abstaining prayer is a unique custom worth trying for anyone with a wish they hope to grant. It is also fun to walk around searching for the octopus motifs hidden across the grounds. After worship, savoring the prized horse mackerel and mackerel landed at the Saganoseki port and giving thanks for the bounty of the sea is a fine way to end the visit.