Overview
Noma Shrine stands in the Kannomiya area of Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, a place of deep antiquity. It is a Shikinaisha, one of the shrines listed in the Engishiki register compiled in the Heian period, and moreover ranked as a Myojin-taisha, among the most prestigious of those shrines. In the former shrine ranking system it held the rank of prefectural shrine. Set within a green grove on the Imabari plain, it quietly preserves the faith of ancient Iyo Province and is carefully tended by local people.
Highlights
- ●High status recorded as a Myojin-taisha in the Engishiki register
- ●A historic setting that carries the faith of ancient Iyo Province and Noma District
- ●The quiet air of precincts wrapped in a green sacred grove
- ●The story of the land held in the place name Kannomiya
History
Noma Shrine sits in what was once Noma District of Iyo Province and appears in the Engishiki register of deities as a Myojin-taisha. That rank was reserved for shrines held in especially high national esteem, showing that this was an important site of worship from ancient times. Over the long centuries it came to be classed as a prefectural shrine in the old ranking system. For the detailed founding history and enshrined deities, please consult official sources or the on-site notices.
Access
Noma Shrine lies in the Kannomiya area of Imabari City, near 34.05 degrees north and 132.96 degrees east. It is convenient to approach from central Imabari, the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido and JR lines, and most visitors come by car. The surroundings are a calm area of hamlets and farmland. Check official sources for the latest transport options and parking.
Best season
Blessed with the mild climate typical of the Seto Inland Sea, the shrine welcomes visitors year-round. In spring, when the trees bud, and in autumn, when the sacred grove is bathed in crisp air, the quiet of the precincts feels especially soothing. During the New Year visit or local festivals, you may encounter livelier crowds and Shinto rites unlike everyday scenes.
Map
34.0510, 132.9571 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head from central Imabari to Noma Shrine in the Kannomiya district
- 2Pass through the torii and walk the approach shaded by the sacred grove
- 3Pay your respects at the main hall and reflect on its Shikinaisha history
- 4Take in the surrounding farmland hamlets before returning toward Imabari
Did you know?
💡 A Shikinaisha is an old shrine recorded in the Engishiki register of deities compiled in the Heian period. Noma Shrine was ranked among the Myojin-taisha within that register, a sign that it was especially revered in Iyo Province. Even the place name Kannomiya, meaning something like the shrine palace, hints at the deep bond between this land and its shrine.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!