Yahiko Shrine is the most ancient and spiritually powerful shrine of Nigata 2400 years old this shrine is the most sacred and popular place of Nigata.
People affectionately call it “Oyahiko-sama.” Yahiko jinja is a Shinto shrine in the village of Yahiko. It is the ichinomiya or highest ranked shrine of Echigo Province.
After passing through inchi no tori you will find a stream Mitarai-gawa. It’s coming from Mt. Yahiko. Up of the stream, there is a divine bridge, called Tamano Hashi,
Only gods can cross this sacred semi-circular bridge, so you can’t cross it.
This shrine is popular for its sacred energy Every year more than 200,000 people visit this shrine to pray for good health, success in career, and protection from evil.
Here is Ni-no-Torii, Second Torii gate
There are lots of Zelkova trees, some of them are over 400 years old.
The record of the shrine says that the first main shrine was built in 711. It is even mentioned in Japan’s ancient Manyoshu, a collection of poems.
You can see the final gate Zuishin-mon. The main hall of worship is just behind this gate. See the magnificent wood carving of this gate.
This solemn shrine standing at foot of the mountain Yahiko.
The shrine is said to have more than 2400 years of history.
It is believed that in the 8th Century, Ameno-Kagoyama-no-Mikoto, a great-grandson of a Shinto deity came to Mt. Yahiko from heaven and taught local people the skills required for salt production, fishing, rice cultivation, and other agricultural activities.
The enshrined deity, Ame-no-Kaguyama-no-Mikoto, has long been widely worshipped as the god of culture and development in Echigo Province.
Over the years most of the old records are lost in fires or other disasters. So we don’t know much more about the history of the shrine. The original shrine was destroyed by the fire in 1912. The present shrine was rebuilt in 1916.
The way to worship at the shrine is by bowing 2 times, clapping 4 times, and then bowing 1 final time.
Now I am moving towards the other side of the shrine. You can see so many bright, colorful, and unique Sake Barrels. These are called kazaridaru in Japanese.
These barrels are here as a decoration and to give honor to the god. Traditionally, the people of Japan have a connection between the gods and the Sake they produce. Each year many barrels of Sake is donated. The Sake is used for religious festivals and the barrels are kept as a unique display outside of the shrine. Physically the barrels are empty but it has a deep spiritual significance. The empty barrel is a powerful symbol uniting the brewers of Sake with their gods. Shrine’s Sake Barrels are a gift to the gods.
Now it’s time to explore the beauty of mount Yahiko. We will take Yahikoyama Ropeway to reach the mountain top. You will get a free shuttle bus from the west side exit of the shrine. The Yahiko-Yama Ropeway takes you to the Yahiko summit in about five minutes. From the top, you will get a panoramic view of Sado Island, the Sea of Japan snd the Echigo Plain which is famous for its high-quality rice production.
Enjoy the spectacular view from the ropeway….
Mount Yahiko has the same height as Tokyo Sky Tree, 634 meters.
So it’s not a very high mountain, but it offers some wonderful views with the magnificent Sea of Japan to the north and the vast Echigo Plain in the south.
Due to the scorching summer, we prefer to stay here and enjoy the scenic beauty. You can see the Panorama Tower which has a 360° rotating observation room. From there you can enjoy the clear view of Sado Island, the Sea of Japan snd the Echigo plain.
We have almost reached the station. Yahiko station is probably the only station in Japan that has this Inari Shrine style. It’s really amazing to see a station like a shrine.
Panorama Tower, an observatory at 100m high, revolving and moving up and down.
From Mt.Yahiko-yama, Japan Sea and Sado Island can be seen in the distance.
Echigo Plain, the most rice-producing region in Japan.
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