Ujigami-jinja Shrine

In short

Ujigami-jinja Shrine stands at the foot of Mount Asahi on the east bank of the Uji River, facing Byodo-in Temple across the river. It was venerated as the guardian shrine of Byodo-in Temple, and in 1994 (Heisei 6) it was registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."

• ​The National Treasure main hall​​: A rare type of building in which three inner sanctuaries in the ikkensha nagare-zukuri style stand side by side under a single overarching roof structure (oiya). Built from the late 11th century to the early 12th century, it is considered the oldest surviving example of nagare-zukuri architecture, as well as of shrine architecture overall
• ​The National Treasure worship hall​​: Standing in front of the main hall, it dates from the early 13th century and is the oldest extant worship hall. It has an ambiance close to residential architecture
• ​Kiriharasui​​: A natural spring within the grounds, it is the only one remaining today among the "Seven Famous Waters of Uji," which were renowned for their high quality

History and Highlights

​Ujigami-jinja Shrine​ is located at the foot of Mount Asahi on the east bank of the Uji River, facing Byodo-in Temple across the river. It is said that the enshrined deities are Emperor Ojin, his imperial son Uji no Wakiiratsuko, and Uji no Wakiiratsuko's elder brother, Emperor Nintoku. Until the Meiji period, it was considered a single entity together with the neighboring Uji-jinja Shrine and was called "Rikyu Kamisha."

While its foundation is unclear, it came to be venerated as the guardian shrine of Byodo-in Temple after the completion of the Phoenix Hall, and its shrine buildings were arranged with the support of Byodo-in Temple. In 1994 (Heisei 6), it was registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."

The main hall (honden), designated as a National Treasure, is a rare type of structure featuring three inner sanctuaries built in the ikkensha nagare-zukuri style lined up together and sheltered by a single overarching roof structure (oiya). The left and right inner sanctuaries are large, while the central inner sanctuary is built slightly smaller. Based on details of their construction, it is believed that they were built in order from the left sanctuary, the central sanctuary, to the right sanctuary, dating from the late 11th century to the early 12th century. It is considered the oldest surviving example of nagare-zukuri architecture, as well as of shrine architecture overall.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​National Treasure Worship Hall (Haiden)​​: Standing in front of the main hall, the worship hall is also a National Treasure and is the oldest extant worship hall, dating from the early 13th century. Featuring a gable roof connected to pent roofs on both sides with sugaru-hafu gables and using shitomido (latticed shutters), it has an ambiance close to residential architecture.
• ​Subordinate Shrines Such as Kasuga-sha​​: Within the grounds are subordinate shrines built in the Kamakura period, including Kasuga-sha. The main hall of the subordinate shrine Kasuga-sha is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• ​Kiriharasui of the Seven Famous Waters of Uji​​: Within the precinct, there is a natural spring known as "Kiriharasui." It is the only one remaining today among the "Seven Famous Waters of Uji," which were renowned for their high quality.

Walking Tips

It is about a 10-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line, and about a 20-minute walk from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line. The stone monuments reading "Uji-jinja Shrine" on the approach to Ujigami-jinja Shrine and beside the torii gate of Uji-jinja Shrine are said to be remnants of the time when the two shrines were originally one. You may wish to visit together with Uji-jinja Shrine and extend your walk to Byodo-in Temple on the opposite bank of the Uji River, The Tale of Genji Museum, Uji City, and Kosho-ji Temple.