Ujigami Shrine
Japan’s oldest original Shinto shrine, built around 1060 to honor Emperor Ōjin and the imperial prince who chose honor over power.
At a glance
Ujigami Shrine stands as a guardian sanctuary for the nearby Byōdō-in temple complex in Uji. Its honden represents the earliest surviving example of nagare-zukuri shrine architecture in Japan, while its haiden showcases Kamakura-period craftsmanship. Digital dendrochronology confirmed its construction around 1060, making it the oldest original Shinto shrine structure in the country.
History
The shrine was established to honor Emperor Ōjin and his sons, the imperial princes Uji no Wakiiratsuko and Emperor Nintoku. According to shrine tradition, Uji no Wakiiratsuko took his own life to resolve a succession dispute, and the shrine was built in his memory. Until the Meiji Period, Ujigami Shrine and the adjacent Uji Shrine were collectively known as the Rikyukamisha before being separated as distinct institutions.
What you see
The honden exemplifies the nagare-zukuri style, with three inner shrine structures arranged side-by-side—the central sanctuary larger than its flanking counterparts. Dating to the late Heian period, this design represents the finest achievement of early shrine architecture. The haiden, constructed during the Kamakura period, employs shinden-zukuri styling with a distinctive sugaruhafu roof form. Within the precinct stands the Kasuga Shrine, also from the Kamakura era. A freshwater spring adds spiritual significance to the sacred grounds.
Cultural significance
Ujigami Shrine embodies a pivotal moment in Japanese imperial history and shrine architecture. Its honden preserves an irreplaceable record of Heian craftsmanship and design principles that influenced shrine building for centuries. As part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, it reflects the spiritual and aesthetic values that shaped medieval Japan.
Key facts
- Country: Japan
- Location: Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
- Coordinates: 34.89194444° N, 135.81138889° E
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1994)
- Honden and haiden designated National Treasures by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
- Construction date: circa 1060 (confirmed by digital dendrochronology)
- Annual festival: May 5
Practical information & getting there
Ujigami Shrine is located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, adjacent to Uji Shrine and near the Byōdō-in temple. The shrine is accessible by public transportation. You can visit year-round; the annual festival occurs on May 5. For current visiting hours and seasonal information, consult local tourism resources.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.