8.Mishima-jinja Shrine
Crowds flock to this shrine
on the First Day of the Rabbit in April each year
The origin of Mishima-jinja Shrine is said to lie in enshrinement of the deity of Omishima when divided off to Usuki after crossing over the sea from Iyo-no-Kuni (present-day Ehime Prefecture). The U-no-Ichi Matsuri (Rabbit Market Festival) was held here in April each year. The market was a big event held continuously from 1596 with market stalls, sumo wrestling, sacred dance and music, and other offerings. It was a center for traditions, entertainment, and trade, with merchants coming from the Kansai region and determining the national prices of cloth, for example. Now only the Tateno district lion dance is performed as an offering, but local people gather on the day giving an idea of how the festival looked in the olden days. The camphor sacred tree is popular as a place of mystical energy. The humorous expressions on the faces of the guardian dogs are also soothing to the soul.
*Oyamazumi-jinja Shrine
There are two pairs of guardian dogs made of wood and of stone within the shrine grounds. They both have adorable smiling faces.
The majestic sacred tree is at least 700 years old, although children used to have fun climbing it in the olden days.
- Address
- 3875 Imura, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture
- TEL
- 0972-62-4375
- Parking
- Available
- Stamp location
- In the worship hall
- Restrooms
- Available