Chii Hachiman Shrine

Founded in 1071 as the main shrine of Chii-no-sho Village, Chii Hachiman Shrine carries a rich history deeply intertwined with local legend and tradition. Originally located at Minami Murakami-no-Miya on the opposite bank of the Yura River, the shrine was relocated to its current site after a landslide and flood swept it away. The existing honden (main hall) was rebuilt in 1767.
According to legend, the shrine’s origins date back to 713 AD, when Kōga Saburō Kaneie established the shrine after heroically slaying a mythical eight-headed deer that had appeared in the village.

The enshrined deities are Emperor Ōjin, Suwa Myōjin, and Chii Ichinomiya Myōjin. The shrine grounds are designated as a Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Property Environmental Conservation Area, and the main hall, built in the sangensha nagare-zukuri style, is recognized as a Kyoto Prefecture Registered Cultural Property. Intricate carvings of phoenixes, carp, lions, and chrysanthemum flowers adorn the structure, making it one of the finest examples of temple-shrine architecture in the Tanba region.

Every October, the shrine hosts the Chii Hachiman Shrine Annual Festival, featuring a mikoshi procession through the village and performances of gagaku (ancient court music) to pray for protection from misfortune and household safety.