Ika-gu Shrine

Overview

Ika-gu Shrine is located in Ooto, Kinomoto-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. It's designated as a S-kunei-sha (a shrine listed in the ancient records of shrines) and a Myojin Taisha (a major shrine). The enshrined deity is Ika-tsu-omi-no-mikoto, a deity appearing in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki (ancient Japanese chronicles). While the founding date is unknown, it's said that Ika-sukune Toyooka, a descendant of the deity, built the shrine building before the tenth year of Emperor Tenmu's reign in the Hakuhō period. Ika-gu Shrine is also famous as the setting for the feather robe (hagoromo) legend. According to the legend, a beautiful goddess descended from heaven, leaving her feather robe on a rock. While playing by the lake shore, she was discovered by a fisherman. To retrieve her robe, she made various requests to the fisherman, who fulfilled them, allowing the goddess to return to heaven. This legend is passed down in the surrounding area and adds to the shrine's mystical atmosphere. Centuries-old giant trees stand within the shrine grounds, creating a sacred atmosphere of tranquility. As a sacred place, many worshippers visit, offering silent prayers. Ika-gu Shrine is cherished by the local people as one of the most prominent shrines in Hokubu. If you are visiting the Hokubu area, please be sure to stop by.