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Sacred Sites
Sacred SitesKansai / Hyogo

Takamagahara Koshikiiwa Jinja

兵庫県西宮市甑岩町5-4View on map

Map

An ancient shrine in the hills behind Nishinomiya City, enshrining a massive 30-meter-tall sacred boulder (koshikiiwa) as its divine body. The site is said to be where the gods of the heavens descended to earth, and it is widely regarded as a powerful spiritual site.

Sacred Site Info

Type
磐座
Legend
古代から磐座として崇められてきた巨大な花崗岩を御神体とします。「甑(こしき)」と呼ばれる酒米を蒸す道具に形が似ることから甑岩の名が付いたとも言われています。延喜式神名帳に記録される古社に関わる霊岩です。
Element
岩・光・風

History & Origins

This enormous sacred rock (iwakura) has been an object of veneration since the Jomon and Yayoi periods. Regarded as the original shrine (moto-miya) of Hirota Jinja, it was the center of ancient worship in the Kobe and Hanshin region.

Highlights

The massive 30-meter Koshikiiwa rock itself, panoramic views of Osaka Bay from within the precincts, and the clean, sacred air beneath the ancient trees are the highlights.

Visitor Guide

It is possible to climb onto the sacred rock using ropes (take great care). The view extends to Kobe and Osaka city. The shrine is accessible along a hiking trail.

Best Season

Late spring through autumn. Clear days offer especially spectacular panoramic views.