The Oldest Surviving Worship Hall
The Ujigami Shrine Worship Hall (宇治上神社拝殿) is the early Kamakura worship hall of Ujigami Shrine in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, which in 1952 was designated a National Treasure.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single-storey gabled hall six bays by three, with one-bay aisles at both gable ends and a one-bay porch, roofed in cypress bark.
According to the Agency's World Heritage description, it is residential in style, dates from the early thirteenth century and is the oldest surviving worship hall.
Structure
According to the Agency, it is a long hall on a lower level in front of the main hall. One-bay aisles attached to both gable ends are joined to the gabled roof by sloping eaves, giving it the look of a hip-and-gable roof.
A railed veranda runs all round, with the central bay of the front as a porch. The core has round posts and the aisles and porch chamfered posts; apart from plank doors in the centre of the front and back, the openings are all top-hinged lattice shutters.
What to Look For
The World Heritage description explains that whereas the main hall is for the god, worship halls used by people often adopt the residential shinden style of their time. The rows of lattice shutters convey the feel of a Heian residence.
Kyoto Prefecture notes that it uses cypress felled in the early Kamakura period.
Visiting the Ujigami Shrine Worship Hall
No official visitor information could be found; follow the shrine's guidance when visiting.
The shrine's history, the layout of its buildings and its World Heritage status are on the Ujigami Shrine group page.
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Q&A
- When was the worship hall built?
- In the early Kamakura period, the early thirteenth century.
- What does it look like?
- Aisles joined by sloping eaves give it the look of a hip-and-gable roof.
- What are its openings?
- Lattice shutters throughout, apart from plank doors at the centre front and back.
- Why is it important?
- It is the oldest surviving worship hall, with the feel of a Heian residence.
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On 22 November 1952.
Basic Information
| Name | Ujigami Shrine Worship Hall (宇治上神社拝殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Uji-Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (building) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1952/11/22 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Six by three bays, single storey, gabled, with gable-end aisles and a one-bay porch, cypress bark roof |
| Owner | Ujigami Shrine |
| Public Access | Check visiting conditions with the shrine |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Ujigami Shrine Worship Hall (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1947
- Cultural Heritage Online: Ujigami Shrine, World Heritage (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/special_content/component/32
- Kyoto Prefecture: Ujigami Shrine (Japanese)
- https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/isan/ujigami.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28
