A Carved Corridor with a Rising Floor
The Kiyama Shrine Corridor (木山神社渡廊下) is a carved covered corridor linking the worship hall and shrine office of 1919, moved in 1962 in Kiyama, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 27, 2017 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber structure with a copper roof and a building area of 13 square metres; registration number 33-0283.
A Rising Floor and Curved Beams
According to the Okayama Prefecture Association of Shinto Shrines, Kiyama Shrine is said to date from 816 and enshrines Susanoo; the mountaintop shrine remains as the inner shrine, and the lower shrine was built at the foot of the mountain in 1962.
The corridor, of 1919 and moved with the worship hall in 1962, links the east end of the hall's south side to the shrine office (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Under a copper roof sloping both ways, its floor rises in a gentle curve and is lined with a balustrade.
Curved tie beams span each bay along its length, a strongly arched beam spans the gable, and carving decorates it throughout. Grouped rafters at the eaves tie it to the design of the worship hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the gently rising floor, the strongly curved beams and the carving (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Kiyama Shrine (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours was found. The worship hall, corridor and the main hall and worship hall of Zenkaku Inari Shrine in the precinct are introduced together on the Kiyama Shrine page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1919, moved in 1962.
- What does it link?
- The worship hall and shrine office.
- What is the floor like?
- It rises in a gentle curve.
- How is it decorated?
- With curved beams and carving.
- When was the Kiyama Shrine Corridor registered?
- On October 27, 2017 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kiyama Shrine Corridor (木山神社渡廊下) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1265-1 Kiyama, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2017/10/27 (Heisei 29) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, copper roof, 13 m² |
| Owner | Kiyama Shrine |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Kiyama Shrine Corridor (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012030
- Kiyama Shrine (Okayama Prefecture Association of Shinto Shrines, in Japanese)
- https://www.okayama-jinjacho.or.jp/search/19098/?print=pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.27
