A large storehouse for three mikoshi
The Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse (今宮神社神輿庫, Imamiya Jinja Shinyoko) is a storehouse of the late Taisho period (1919 to 1926) standing north of the East Gate of Imamiya Shrine in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/03/27. It houses the mikoshi, the portable shrines carried in the Imamiya Festival.
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, when the Tower Gate was built in 1926 the old mikoshi house was moved to the north-east corner and became the ritual implement storehouse; the Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse was built to replace it. The shrine says it owns three mikoshi, the Agui, Taka and Omiya, and that the Omiya mikoshi is traditionally said to have been made in 1593 with a gift from Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was thoroughly restored in 1694 with funds from Keishoin.
Iron doors in a fireproof shell
The building measures 12.1 metres by 6.6 metres, with a building area of 80 square metres. It is built as a dozo, a fireproof storehouse with thick earthen walls, under a hipped roof of pantiles, with a moulded plaster cornice under the eaves. It runs north to south and faces west.
The west front is divided into three wide bays for moving the mikoshi, each closed by a large black iron door, with a pent roof running across. Inside is a single room with a wooden floor.
Fireproof walls and iron doors were the obvious choice for protecting heavy, costly mikoshi. The Agency describes it as a large storehouse of weighty appearance.
What to look for, and visiting
The Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse is not open inside. Its exterior can be seen on the east side of the grounds; the three iron doors on the west front are the thing to see.
On May 5, the opening day of the Imamiya Festival, the mikoshi are brought out and carried from the grounds into Nishijin. That is the only time the doors stand open. Directions are on the Imamiya Shrine page.
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Q&A
- When was the Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse built?
- In the late Taisho period (1919 to 1926), in connection with the building of the Tower Gate in 1926.
- What is kept in the Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse?
- The mikoshi used in the Imamiya Festival; the shrine has three, the Agui, Taka and Omiya.
- What is special about the Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse?
- Its fireproof earthen construction, hipped tiled roof and three large black iron doors on the west front.
- Can I see inside the Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse?
- No. The mikoshi are brought out on May 5 for the festival.
- How big is the Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse?
- 12.1 metres by 6.6 metres, with a building area of 80 square metres.
Basic Information
| Name | Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse (今宮神社神輿庫) |
|---|---|
| Location | 21 Imamiyacho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 26-551 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Fireproof earthen storehouse construction, single storey, hipped pantile roof; 12.1 metres by 6.6 metres; building area 80 square metres |
| Owner | Imamiya Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior can be seen freely from the grounds (no charge); interior not open |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Imamiya Shrine Portable Shrine Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012203
- Agency for Cultural Affairs — Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures), report of 2017/11/17 (Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/r1392281_21.pdf
- Kyoto City official travel guide — Imamiya Shrine (Japanese)
- https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=496
Last verified: 2026.10.01
