Takachiho Shrine

Takachiho Shrine is said to have been founded about 1,900 years ago during the reign of Emperor Suinin. The deities enshrined here are "Takachiho Sumegami" and "Jissha Daimyojin." During the Tenkei period (938-947), it garnered widespread faith as the chief shrine among the "Eighty-eight Shrines of Takachiho." It is believed to bring benefits in matchmaking, protection from evils, traffic safety, and agriculture.

The shrine is also well-known for hosting the traditional "Night Kagura of Takachiho" every night, all year round. The "Night Kagura of Takachiho" is an ancient dance designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. From the original thirty-three Kagura dances, four representative dances are performed every night from 8 pm to 9 pm.

Within the shrine grounds, visitors can find intriguing sights such as the "Couple Cedars," where the roots of two cedar trees have become one, the "Chinseki" stone used during the shrine's establishment, and the 800-year-old "Chichibu Cedar," which legend says was planted by Hatakeyama Shigetada on behalf of Minamoto no Yoritomo.