A stable still in use

Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable (住吉大社神馬舎, Shinmesha) is a stable built in 1931 on the west side of the northern side approach, parallel to the main approach, at Sumiyoshi Taisha in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10. It is a single-storey timber building with a tiled gable roof, entered from the gable end, with a floor area of 23 square metres.

A shinme is a horse dedicated to the gods, and some shrines keep a living one for their rituals. According to the official description, the Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable is still used as a stable. The shrine's sacred horse, a white horse named Shirayuki, takes part in the white horse ritual on January 7, visiting each of the main halls and then running through the grounds.

Stall and groom's room under one roof

The building is two bays wide and three deep, with its gable end as the front. A lean-to on the north side continues the roof downward. Inside, the main part is an earth-floored stall for the horse, and the lean-to is a boarded room for the groom, so animal and keeper share one roof.

The Agency describes it as a traditional element of the grounds that is still in use as a stable. The point is not ornament or rank but the fact that it still does its job. It was built in the year the shrine completed a programme of landscaping works, as part of that period of improvements.

It is a small building with a heavy tiled roof. Walking the north side approach, you see its gable end facing the path; from the side, the triangle of the gable and the long roof line running down to the north are what you notice.

What to look for, and visiting

The Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable stands on the west side of the northern side approach and can be seen from the path. The horse is not always visible, depending on the time of day. Please avoid loud voices and flash photography so as not to startle it.

There is no charge during opening hours. The white horse ritual on January 7 is the best chance to see the horse close up. Opening hours and directions are on the Sumiyoshi Taisha page.

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Q&A

QWhere is the Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable?
AOn the west side of the northern side approach, near the North Side Approach Kaku Torii.
QIs the Sacred Horse Stable still used?
AYes. The official description notes that it is still used as a stable; the shrine keeps a white sacred horse.
QWhat is inside the Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable?
AAn earth-floored stall for the horse in the main part and a boarded groom's room in the lean-to on the north side.
QWhen was the Sacred Horse Stable built?
AIn 1931. It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10.
QCan I see the horse at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable?
ANot always. The white horse ritual on January 7 is the surest time to see it.

Basic Information

NameSumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable (住吉大社神馬舎)
Location2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
DesignationNational Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 27-733
Year DesignatedRegistered 2018/05/10 (Heisei 30)
Quantity1 building
DimensionsSingle-storey timber, gable-entry tiled roof; floor area 23 square metres
OwnerSumiyoshi Taisha (religious corporation)
Public AccessVisible from the side approach during shrine hours; no charge

References

Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Sumiyoshi Taisha Sacred Horse Stable
https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012407
Osaka Prefecture — Designation report on Sumiyoshi Taisha, with a list of its protected buildings (Japanese)
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/26540/01_sumiyoshitaisya_sitei.pdf
Sumiyoshi Taisha official site — January events
https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/events/annualevents/01.html

Last verified: 2026.10.01