Hachiman Sohongu Usa Jingu Shrine is located in Usa City, Oita Prefecture, and is the head shrine of the approximately 40,000 Hachiman shrines nationwide. Founded in 725, the main deity is Hachiman Daijin (Emperor Ojin), and it has long been revered by the Imperial family and is considered the second imperial shrine after Ise Jingu Shrine. The vast grounds cover approximately 500,000 square meters and are surrounded by beautiful nature. Since ancient times, Hachiman has been believed to be not only a god of military fortune, but also to have a wide range of benefits such as protecting the nation, bringing good fortune and warding off evil, and academic success, and many worshippers from all over the country visit the shrine.

The architectural style of Usa Jingu Shrine is unique, called "Hachiman-zukuri," and the main hall, which has been designated a national treasure, is a typical example of this. The main hall has a rare structure in which the "outer hall" in front and the "inner hall" in the back are connected, and its beauty and historical value are a must-see. Usa Shrine has a history of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, and there are Buddhist facilities within the shrine grounds, allowing you to feel the depth of Japanese religious culture. As you stroll through the grounds, you will find traces of the history of gods and Buddhas coexisting.

It is common to visit the shrine from Shimomiya to Kamimiya, and along the approach to the shrine are dotted with sights such as the beautiful vermilion bridge "Kurehashi" and the sacred tree "Okusu", estimated to be 800 years old. This is Kyushu's representative power spot, where you can have a spiritually cleansing experience where rich nature, history, and a sacred atmosphere come together.

[Trivia]
Emperor Ojin is an emperor who worked hard to unify Japan together with his mother, Empress Jingu.