Hongu Shrine 本宮神社

Official explanation

Among the oldest sacred structures in Nikko, it is believed that Hongu Shrine was constructed during the Nara period (710–794). The deity Ajisukitakahikone no Mikoto, the son of Onamuchi no Mikoto, is enshrined here.

In 766, Shodo Shonin (735–817), the holy ascetic who established Nikko Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, crossed the Daiya River into Nikko, and built a small shrine. The Hongu Shrine is thus considered the birthplace of the Nikko Futarasan Shrine.

Read the full explanation

The building to the front is the prayer hall, while the rear building is the main hall where Ajisukitakahikone no Mikoto is enshrined. There is a door at the back of the shrine from which Mt. Nantai was worshipped. One of the ancient beliefs in Shinto is that the mountains are sacred spaces where divinities and ancestral spirits dwell.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.