Yuga Shrine (Main Shrine)

It’s so sacred environment. And actually there are a lot of things to see inside. Interesting. Recommend to go there once if you’re staying nearby.

Most shrines offer car purification services, and since it would be a pain to have to come out every time in shallow sandals that are already difficult to walk in, they have set up a purification area where cars can be parked near the shrine office within the shrine grounds. However, at the main shrine of Yuka Shrine, the only way to the main hall is by a flight of stairs known as the "evil-averting stairs." First, you must climb these stairs, go to the shrine office, pay an offering, and then make your way up to the main hall, where you will be purified, then go back down the stairs and have your car purified at the car purification area—a daunting process. The shrine grounds are so steep that anyone, whether it's a delivery vehicle, a royal carriage, or someone in a wheelchair, must climb the stairs up and down to reach the main hall. The approach to the temple, accessible by car, begins with an uphill slope, which then turns into stairs. If you continue straight up the hill, you'll find the inner sanctuary of Rendaiji Temple at the top—a truly impressive place. To visit just the main shrine, climb the warding stairs and turn right, which will take you to the main shrine. On your right is the gift shop, and behind you is the tea shop of the Yukasan Kaikan Jojuden Hall, offering a great view. Directly below the veranda of the main shrine is a corridor under the eaves, similar to the Kaidan-meguri (a traditional ritual platform walk), which you can circle around clockwise from the left. Tenjin-sama is enshrined in the precincts to the left of the main shrine, and just before that is a torii gate leading through the corridor, allowing you to enter from there (popular with children). Also enshrined here is an octopus god, a god of the sea who prays for a good catch. There's also a sesame incense burner, common in shrines in the Chugoku region. Ankoromochi (sweet bean paste rice cakes) are a local specialty, and are available for purchase within the temple grounds. They also have a selection of character charms, making this a shrine with a very good attitude. The fact that you pass through the Hongu shrine grounds on your way to Rendaiji temple is a clear example of the mixed atmosphere, and it's also a shrine and temple that can be visited in a day as a tourist. In addition to Hongu, there is also Yuka Shrine in Wake, in Okayama prefecture. The nearest station is Kaminomachi Station on the Honshi-Bisan Line, but it's a long, uphill road and not a walkable distance (you'll be shocked when you see the shrine), and although the journey is about an hour long, it takes just under two hours when you factor in the gradient. It's just under 30 minutes by taxi from Kojima Station. If you are heading by car, exit Kojima IC on the Setouchi Chuo Expressway towards Kojima and Tamano, turn right onto R430 at the Ogino Tawaguchi intersection, turn left north at the Kotoura Police Box intersection, turn right at the Kamimachi Kita intersection and you will reach the Yuka Bypass. Turn right at the end of the road and the signs for Motomiya will guide you there.

My main goal on this trip was to climb those stairs one step at a time and pray with my daughter. It may be rude to the gods to say that our purpose was just to climb the stairs, but I felt like I felt more grateful for the journey by working hard on my own two feet. We somehow managed to reach the top safely, stopping to look at the "ankoro mochi" sign we saw along the way. At the main hall, my daughter and I crossed the bridge by stepping firmly on the character for "yaku" (bad luck) on it! After that, we went to Zeni Benzaiten, which I had been looking forward to. Here, you can purify yourself by putting money in a colander and pouring water over it with the provided ladle. There's also a sign for the TV show "Aiseki Shokudo," so my daughter and I were able to take our time praying together. It was a really great day.

It seems to be famous for warding off evil spirits. I walked the long approach from the parking lot, keeping to the right. It seems to be good to visit both this shrine and Konpira-gu Shrine, and I had already visited Konpira-gu Shrine before, so this was a success. There was a stone bridge for warding off evil spirits and many other things to see.

This was my first visit since last fall. I thought the crowds would thin out by mid-February, but there were still people waiting in the parking lot. It seemed like a lot of people were there to offer prayers. I received a goshuin stamp twice last year, so I skipped it this time and instead visited as a way to give thanks to my family.