Isonokami Jingu Shrine

Isonokami Jingu Shrine is one of the oldest extant shrines in Japan, said to have been founded in 4 AD.
You will find it in Tenri city at one end of Japan’s oldest road: The Yamanobe-no-Michi.

Isonokami Jingu Shrine was worshiped as the place where the guardian deity of the Mononobe clan is enshrined.

This clan was a powerful one, skilled in military power, and they worshipped the deity as one of longevity, health, recovery from illness, prevention of disasters, and good fortune.

The Mononobe clan used Isonokami Jingu Shrine as a weapons storage facility. Furthermore, it is said that ancient powerful families began to enshrine many sacred treasures representing their power.

Chickens are a popular sight at Ishigami Jingu Shrine.

There are currently about 30 birds in various parts of the precincts, including the approach.
Because chickens are sometimes attacked by small animals such as weasels, raccoon dogs, and martens, they jump from low trees to higher branches in the evening before dark and spend the nights there.
Chickens are considered sacred birds as they announce the dawn, and are also seen as messengers of the gods.

Our company provides some special programs with this shrine which has a long and distinguished history.

One of the program starts in the morning. Listening to chickens crow, you step in to the praying hall which normally cannot be entered. A formal prayer is made with a priest. Then, the priest guides a tour in the precinct and  shows you the way to the spot where you can see the holy god’s place of enshrinement.

You can enjoy the fresh and serene atmosphere of morning in the shrine.

Come and meet the god’s messengers playing around freely, and feel the serene air at Isonokami JIngu Shrine!

Yamanobe-no-Michi trail Passes