Behind the old inner sanctuary
The Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine (妙教寺荒熊天王社, Myōkyō-ji Arakuma Tennōsha) is a one-bay shrine of 1919 standing behind the Reioden's inner sanctuary at Saijo Inari Myokyoji in Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City; it was moved in 1979 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2009/01/08. It is one of the Seventy-Seven Subsidiary Shrines.
When the temple lists its registered subsidiary shrines it begins with "Arakuma Tenno, Asahi Tenno and others", and Arakuma, the "wild bear", is one of the best known of its attendant deities. An Okayama City article credits the Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine to the local carpenter Asakusaya Kojiro, who also built the Hayamisaki Tennosha of 1921; together they represent the ornate shrines of the Taisho era.
Three-stepped brackets and a lattice door
The shrine is a one-bay hip-and-gable building of cypress bark with a small dormer gable and a one-bay porch under a curving karahafu eave. Its building area is 2.1 square metres. A veranda runs all round, supported on projecting brackets.
The eaves rest on three-stepped bracket sets with tail rafters carved as dragons, and carving decorates every part. Even the door is a decorative lattice rather than plain boards.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls the Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine one of the most ornate of the subsidiary shrines. Three-stepped bracketing is used on major temple halls; putting it on a shrine of 2.1 square metres says a great deal about the ambition of its Taisho-era carpenter.
What to look for, and visiting
The Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine stands directly behind the Reioden's inner sanctuary; walk round the back of the Reioden to find it. It can be seen at any time, free of charge; the interior is not open.
Look up first at the three tiers of brackets and the dragon tail rafters, then down at the fine lattice of the door. Few buildings this small have had so much work lavished on them. Opening hours and directions are on the Saijo Inari Myokyoji page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine
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Q&A
- Where is the Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine?
- Directly behind the inner sanctuary of the Reioden, the former main sanctuary.
- When was the Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine built?
- In 1919. It was moved in 1979.
- Why is the Arakuma Tennosha Shrine notable?
- It is counted among the most ornate subsidiary shrines, with three-stepped brackets, dragon tail rafters and a decorative lattice door.
- Who built the Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine?
- The local carpenter Asakusaya Kojiro, according to an Okayama City article.
- Can I see inside the Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine?
- No. The exterior can be seen at any time and at no charge.
Basic Information
| Name | Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine (妙教寺荒熊天王社) |
|---|---|
| Location | 712 Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 33-0186 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/01/08 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, hip-and-gable cypress-bark roof with dormer gable; building area 2.1 square metres |
| Owner | Saijo Inarisan Myokyoji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior can be seen freely in the grounds (no charge); interior closed |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Myokyoji Arakuma Tennosha Shrine
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007569
- Okayama City — Modern Japanese-style architecture at Saijo Inari Myokyoji, by Yasukawa Mitsuru (Japanese)
- https://www.city.okayama.jp/kankou/cmsfiles/contents/0000005/5279/000179262.pdf
- Saijo Inari official site — Seventy-Seven Subsidiary Shrines (Japanese)
- https://inari.ne.jp/facility/250/
- Saijo Inari official site — Former main sanctuary, Reioden (Japanese)
- https://inari.ne.jp/facility/252/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
