1.Usuki Yasaka-jinja Shrine

You cannot speak of summer in Usuki
without mentioning this shrine.

Buildings such as the Inaba Family Residence and a private library line this street, which is typical of a castle town. The large torii gate, which catches the eye alongside the trees, is a familiar sight to those who live here. The origins of Usuki Yasaka-jinja Shrine date back to 972, when Lord Michikane Fujiwara solicited the construction of a shrine in Tsurugamine, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. Later, in order to escape the warfare that resulted in Yoshiie Minamoto’s defeat of the Kiyohara Clan, he arrived in Usuki by boat in 1092. At that time, the shrine was called “Giongu Shrine,” but in 1871, the name was changed to its current name due to the government order separating Shintoism and Buddhism. Yasaka-jinja Shrine is best known for its Usuki Gion Festival held every July. The soul-stirring procession of more than 2,000 people, many of which are carrying portable shrines and floats, is a traditional event that enriches the culture of Usuki in the summer. In addition to the festival, many people visit the shrine to pray for family safety, safe childbirth, and prosperity in their businesses. It looks like a place in the city with a calm, soothing aura, perfect for taking a leisurely stroll.