A Momoyama Shrine Hall on Lake Biwa
The Shirahige Shrine Main Hall (白鬚神社本殿) is the main sanctuary of Shirahige Shrine on the shore of Lake Biwa at Ukawa, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, a hip-and-gable hall of the Momoyama period built in 1603, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on July 4, 1938 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records three bays by three, single storey, hip-and-gable roof with a one-bay canopy, cypress-bark roofing, owned by Shirahige Shrine. The shrine is also a component of the Japan Heritage story "Lake Biwa and Its Waterside Landscapes" (Japan Heritage Portal).
Omi's Oldest Shrine and the Toyotomi Rebuilding
According to the Biwako Visitors Bureau, Shirahige Shrine is said to have been founded some 2,000 years ago and is called the oldest shrine in Omi. It enshrines Sarutahiko no Mikoto, revered as a god of long life, and is fondly called Shirahige-san; its vermilion torii standing in the lake has earned it the name "Itsukushima of Omi".
The present buildings, including the Shirahige Shrine Main Hall, were built by Toyotomi Hideyori in accordance with the last wishes of his father Hideyoshi, with Katagiri Katsumoto as commissioner (Biwako Visitors Bureau, Takashima Tourism Association).
Value as an Important Cultural Property
The Shirahige Shrine Main Hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1938. Built in 1603, it survives as a Momoyama-period sanctuary erected by the Toyotomi family (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Biwako Visitors Bureau).
What to Look For
The Biwako Visitors Bureau notes that the Shirahige Shrine Main Hall has a clear square plan, but its roof became complex when the worship hall rebuilt in the Meiji era was joined to it.
Across Route 161 the great torii rises from the lake, with Okishima island beyond. The grounds hold poem monuments to Yosano Tekkan and Akiko and a haiku stone of Matsuo Basho (Japan Heritage Portal). At the grand festival on September 5 and 6, the Naruko-mairi rite gives names to children in their second year by the traditional count (Takashima Tourism Association).
Visiting
Shirahige Shrine, home of the Shirahige Shrine Main Hall, is at 215 Ukawa, Takashima City, about 3 kilometres from JR Omi-Takashima Station: some 40 minutes on foot, or take the Ukawa line of the reservation-based shared taxi to Shirahige Jinja-mae (Takashima Tourism Association).
Crossing Route 161 in front of the shrine is very dangerous; to photograph the lake torii, use the Omi Shirahige-dai viewing deck in front of the shrine office (Takashima Tourism Association). Enquiries go to the shrine (0740-36-1555).
Q&A
- When was the main hall built?
- In 1603 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who built it?
- Toyotomi Hideyori, following his father Hideyoshi's last wishes, with Katagiri Katsumoto as commissioner (Biwako Visitors Bureau).
- Why is the roof so complex?
- The worship hall rebuilt in the Meiji era was joined to the main hall (Biwako Visitors Bureau).
- Where should I view the lake torii?
- From the Omi Shirahige-dai deck, since crossing the road is dangerous (Takashima Tourism Association).
- When was the Shirahige Shrine Main Hall designated?
- On July 4, 1938.
Basic Information
| Name | Shirahige Shrine Main Hall (白鬚神社本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | 215 Ukawa, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1938/07/04 (Showa 13) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three by three bays, single storey, hip-and-gable roof, one-bay canopy, cypress-bark roofing |
| Owner | Shirahige Shrine |
| Public Access | Viewable in the shrine grounds; do not cross the highway |
References
- Shirahige Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1532
- Shirahige Shrine (Biwako Visitors Bureau)
- https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/390/
- Shirahige Shrine (Takashima Tourism Association)
- https://takashima-kanko.jp/spot/2018/06/post_89.html
- Shirahige Shrine (Japan Heritage Portal)
- https://japan-heritage.bunka.go.jp/ja/culturalproperties/result/114/
Last verified: 2026.10.11