Aguchi Shrine

Aguchi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Sakai City and is said to have been founded during the Nara period by Empress Jingu. In 1113, shrines from three nearby villages—Akaguchi Village, Kido Village, and Hara Village—were merged here, resulting in the enshrinement of three deities: Shiotsuchi-no-Oji, the god of maritime safety and salt production; Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the deity of protection from epidemics and good fortune; and Ikutama-no-Kami, the god of land development and prosperity. Because the Buddhist monk Gyoki established a Nenbutsu temple here in 746, and Kukai later built a pagoda in 806, the site also came to be known as a major temple complex and is affectionately called “Otera-san” by local residents. Within the grounds are several subsidiary shrines, including Sanpo Kojin Shrine, revered as the guardian deity of the kitchen and household, and Toyotake Inari Shrine, worshipped as a god of industry and commerce. The shrine grounds also feature a stone monument commemorating a poem by renowned poet Yosano Akiko, inspired by her childhood memories of playing at Aguchi Shrine, as well as a monument marking the site of Sakai City’s first kindergarten. The Hassaku Festival, held annually on August 1, is a traditional event with a history of over 600 years and remains an important cultural celebration. Aguchi Shrine is conveniently located about a five-minute walk from either Shukuin Station or Oshoji Station on the Hankai Electric Tramway, making it an easy and rewarding stop for sightseeing in Sakai.