「"Usa Jingu" is the head shrine of approximately 40,000 Hachiman

shrines across Japan.The deity enshrined here, Hachiman Okami,

is believed to be the spirit of Emperor Ojin, the 15th emperor of

Japan. Known for his exceptional skill in archery, Emperor Ojin

was later deified as the god of bravery, earning the devotion of the

samurai class.It is said that Hachiman shrines began to spread

throughout Japan around the Kamakura period.

Usa Jingu is also known as the starting point of Shinto-Buddhist

syncretism, a tradition that has profoundly shaped Japan’ s unique

religious landscape.In the year 725 , the Ichi-no-Goten, the first

shrine of the three was established. Shortly thereafter, the shrine

received a divine message to assist in the construction of the Great

Buddha at Todai-ji.Since then, Usa Jingu has been revered as “the

second imperial shrine” after Ise Jingu, and is regarded as a

guardian deity of the nation.To this day, it remains one of only 16

Imperial shrines in Japan, where an official envoy known as a

"Chokushi", sent by the emperor, continues to pay ceremonial visits.

During the Miko experience at Usa Shrine, you can enjoy

activities that are not usually accessible to the public, such as

learning about the history of Hachiman-Shrine, experiencing

Kagura (traditional sacred dance), and practicing the proper way

to worship.