Ogami Shrine

Overview

Ogami Shrine stands in the Uchimaru district of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and is regarded as the oldest shrine in the city. Its formal name is Horyozan Ogami Shrine, also known familiarly as Horyo Shrine.

Highlights

• ●A history recorded as dating back to the late Heian period, roughly 1,000 years ago
• ●Its status as the tutelary shrine of the former Hachinohe Domain of Mutsu Province
• ●The rare kanji character used in its name, combining a rain radical, three mouth radicals, and the character for dragon
• ●Its tradition as the shrine of origin for the Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival

History

Records trace the shrine's history back roughly 1,000 years to the late Heian period. In 1665, early in the Edo period, when Hachinohe Domain was established, the shrine gained status as the domain's tutelary deity and became the chief shrine of Hachinohe, serving as a place of prayer for the Nanbu clan. Its precincts were said to have been expanded and relocated to the second bailey of Hachinohe Castle at that time.

Map

40.5150, 141.4904 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Visit the shrine grounds in the Uchimaru district
2. 2View the shrine marker and main hall bearing the distinctive character for the shrine's name
3. 3Walk the grounds that reflect its history as tutelary shrine of Hachinohe Domain
4. 4Learn about the shrine's connection to the Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival

Did you know?

💡 The kanji used in the shrine's name is unusual, combining a rain radical with three side-by-side mouth characters above the character for dragon.

Nearby spots