Nunakuma Shrine in Tomo

This pillar was dedicated by a trading house Osaka-ya
according to the inscription. 

More than 1800 years ago, Empress Jingu called on Tomo on her way to western Japan. She came back on her way back. Knowing the divinity was not enshrined, she prepared a sanctuary and summoned Owatatsumi-no-mikoto from the sea. Watasu Shrine was legendarily founded somewhere in Tomo that way.


The present Nunakuma shrine was originally called Gion Shrine, the mother shrine of Kyoto's Gion Shrine (now called Yasaka Shrine and famous for its summer festival). But the Meiji government, promoting the separation of Buddhism and Shinto, demanded the name be changed into something which did not carry Buddhist significance. The old historical name, Nunakuma, was chosen and since then the shrine has been called Nunakuma Jinja and Owatatsumi was invited here as the central divinity in addition to the original host Susano-o in 1876.


Here, take a good look at the structures made of rocks, such as Torii gates, stone stairs and pillars, and smooth oval rocks which were used for strength contests. 


A Noh stage which can be disassembled and made portable sits there. It's an old stage from the beginning of the 17th century. The stage is still used by locals and seeing the Noh performance outdoors must be a lot of fun. But it might just look insignificant to the eyes of travelers when nothing is happening.


The shrine visit will add a spice to your temple hopping exploration.

Macho port workers competed on their strength.