Mishima Taisha

Map

History & Origins

Yoritomo famously prayed at this shrine for the revival of the Minamoto clan during his years of exile in Izu. After the founding of the Kamakura Shogunate, he continued to hold it in great esteem and donated many treasures.

Highlights

The shrine holds numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties donated by Yoritomo and Masako Hojo. The osmanthus tree in the precincts—estimated to be 1,200 years old—fills the air with a sweet fragrance each autumn.

Visitor Guide

A 15-minute walk from JR Mishima Station. The Mishima Grand Festival in August draws around 500,000 visitors and is considered Shizuoka's largest festival.

Best Season

Spring for cherry blossoms (late March–early April) and autumn for the sweet osmanthus fragrance (September–October).

Attributes

Blessings

Annual Events

• January

  Otauchi Shinji (Rice Field Tilling Ritual)

  An anticipatory celebration ritual held at the Maiden on January 7. It simulates tilling the fields and sowing seeds, and prays for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.

• August

  Mishima Taimatsuri (Mishima Grand Festival, Reitaisai)

  Held on August 15–17, this is the largest festival of Izu Province's first shrine. A procession recreating Minamoto no Yoritomo's departure for battle, along with floats and Mishima bayashi music, enlivens the streets of Mishima, and it is the city's biggest summer festival.

• August

  Yabusame Shinji (Horseback Archery Ritual)

  Yabusame offered on August 17. This traditional ritual, which has continued since the Heian period, features the skill of shooting at targets from a galloping horse, echoing through the grounds.

Travel Plan

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