Matsuo-Taisha Shrine

Matsuo Taisha Shrine is a historic shrine in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, enshrining Oyamagui-no-Kami and Nakatsushima-hime-no-Mikoto. It was founded in 701 (Taiho 1), when Hata no Imiki Tori built a shrine at the foot of Mount Matsuo by imperial command. Even before the construction of the shrine buildings, ritual worship is said to have taken place at the iwakura (sacred rock seat) on the summit of Mount Matsuo. Access is extremely easy: it is right by Matsuo Taisha Station on the Hankyu Railway. The main sanctuary was rebuilt in 1397 (Oei 4). Its distinctive architecture is known as “Ryo-nagare-zukuri” or “Matsuo-zukuri,” and it is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In addition to the main sanctuary, there are many beautiful structures such as the worship hall, fishing pavilion, and romon gate. Within the grounds is a spring called “Kame-no-i,” fed by water from Mount Matsuo. This spring is said to be the reason Matsuo Taisha is revered nationwide by sake brewers as the ancestral deity of brewing. The “Shinko-sai” festival held in April has over 1,000 years of history, and a boat procession (kawawatari) takes place near the upstream area of the Katsura Ohashi Bridge on Shichijo Street.