6.Hiyoshisha Shrine
Shrine tranquilly nestled in forest
with deep connection to the Usuki Stone Buddhas
Hiyoshisha Shrine sits directly above the Furuzono Stone Buddhas, part of the famous Usuki Stone Buddhas (National Treasure), and was erected together with the Usuki Stone Buddhas and Mangatsuji Temple in the late Heian Period (794-1185). The head shrine is Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Shiga Prefecture, which remains the tutelary shrine of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple. At the time, Mangatsuji Temple was a Tendai-sect temple. It is thought that it was constructed under the influence of Enryakuji Temple, and that like Enryakuji Temple, Hiyoshisha Shrine was constructed as the tutelary shrine of Mangatsuji Temple. Hiyoshisha Shrine is also called Sannosha and Sanno Gongen. Standing at the entrance to the Usuki Stone Buddhas is the Fukata-no-Torii and carved into its tablet are the characters for “Sanno,” which tells us today that the start of the entrance path to Hiyoshisha Shrine was here in the Middle Ages.
You will find the shrine grounds if you go up the path beside the Sannosan Stone Buddhas, partway along the suggested route to the Usuki Stone Buddhas.
Painted guardian dog standing in front of the main shrine. Its expression and aura are redolent with history.
- Address
- 218 Fukata, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture
- TEL
- 0972-65-3300 (Usuki Stone Buddhas Office)
- Parking
- None (Use the parking lot at the Usuki Stone Buddhas.)
- Stamp location
- In the worship hall ※A stamp is installed at the stone Buddha shop because the road is closed due to a fallen tree.
- Restrooms
- Available
- *
- *You must have an Usuki Stone Buddhas entrance ticket for admission.