Subtitles are available in Japanese and English. Please enjoy the video with subtitles on.
In this video, we’ll introduce Usa Shrine, the Main Shrine of the deity Hachiman Okami, located in Usa City, Oita Prefecture.
【Contents】
0:20 The History and Origins of Usa Shrine
1:10 Goreisui
2:59 The Festivals and Rituals of Usa Shrine
5:14 The New Year's Shrine Visit Customs and Etiquette
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Usa City, in northern Oita Prefecture, is home to Usa Shrine, which is the Main Shrine of the deity Hachiman Okami (Emperor Onin), who has over 40,000 shrines throughout Japan. This is the biggest share of Japan’s approximately 110,000 shrines, and Usa Shrine sits at the top. It was established in 725, and will celebrate 1,300 years of history in 2025. It has been adored by locals throughout its long legacy, affectionately nicknamed "Hachiman-sama."
The worship of Hachiman Okami is believed to have been born from a blend of both Buddhism and Japan’s own native Shinto religion. You can see the history of this religion through annual rituals and festivals, along with the magnificent buildings and treasures that survive today. In particular, the beautiful Main Shrine, which is a registered National Treasure, has a dignified appearance worthy of its grand status, and sees numerous worshipers visit each day.
This time, our host visited the spacious, nature-rich grounds of Usa Shrine at the end of the year and the beginning of the New Year. For the year-end visit, Mr. Yamamoto, one of the shrine’s staff, took our host on a guided tour of the grounds. One of the most noteworthy sites in Usa Shrine is the Goreisui, which is sacred water that flows from three holy springs by the Hishigata Pond that has continued uninterrupted since time immemorial. After being humbled by this miraculous water, our host walked over the beautiful bridge straddling the pond, and continued through the garden to find other treasures and buildings like Yasaka Shrine, Mirokuji Temple, and more.
Next up, she learnt about the festivals and rituals that are held at Usa Shrine. The shrine hosts close to 150 events of all different sizes over the year!
With this in mind, our host returned on the day of the Festival of Origins for “hatsumode,” which is the act of visiting a shrine during New Year's. Unsurprisingly, this period is extremely crowded, so for a smooth visit, be sure to carefully watch the host’s shrine visit etiquette!
After hatsumode, our host had a look at the various charms and amulets on sale, including “hamaya” arrows, which are said to ward off evil and invite good luck, and got herself an “omikuji” slip, which told her fortune for the year. The huge variety of charms adds a lot to the fun!
Lastly, our host watched a special New Year’s festival. There were stalls set up selling Japanese food within the shrine, as well as dances, folksongs, and dedications to deities registered as National Intangible Folk-Cultural Properties, showcasing the invaluable traditional arts of Oita. Our host was even allowed to join one of the dances, making it a fun-filled, gratifying experience.
Anyone is welcome to visit, so if you’re in Oita Prefecture during New Year’s, be sure to add Usa Shrine to your itinerary!
*English guidance is available. For details, please contact the Usa City Tourism Association.
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Usa Shrine▶︎http://www.usajinguu.com
Usa City Tourism Association Official Website▶︎https://www.usa-kanko.jp/en/
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