Shirahige Shrine

Standing in the northwestern part of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, this is the oldest Shinto shrine in Omi, which is said to be over 2,000 years old. The vermilion-lacquered Otorii gate stands in the middle of the lake across Route 161, reminiscent of the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, and is called the "Itsukushima of Omi”.

It is the head office of the Shirahige Shrine, which is one of the many shrines in Japan, and enshrines Sarutahiko-no-mikoto as its deity. As the name "Shirahige" suggests, the shrine has long been worshipped as the god of longevity and white beards, and is believed to be beneficial for prolonging life and longevity. In addition, the shrine has been worshipped nationwide as a "guiding deity" for all the activities and karma of the human world, with blessings for marriage, good luck, and academic success.

The main shrine, built in 1603 at the request of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and donated by his son Hideyori, is designated as a national important cultural property. The eternal lantern inscribed with the date of construction in August 1833 is a must-see. The temple is also dotted with monuments to poems written by famous poets such as Murasaki Shikibu, Matsuo Basho, and Yosano Tekkan and Yosano Akiko. Take a leisurely stroll around the precincts of the temple while thinking about its history.

In recent years, the mysterious sight of the Otorii gate floating on Lake Biwa has become a hot topic on social media. Many young people visit the shrine as a power spot with a spectacular view. The sunrise over the gate, the contrast of vermilion against the blue sky, and the night view of the island with the moon in the background are just a few of the many expressions of the gate that you can enjoy.