Usa-jingu

[It] is imbued with unique history and culture just waiting for you to come across.

Not too long ago I visited the Hachiman shrine in Usa. It’s the place of worship for the warrior god Hachiman and is more commonly known as Usa jingū. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in both Usa and Oita Prefecture at large.

The shrine was built in the year 725 during Nara period, making it 1300 years old. Of the 110,000 shrines in Japan, more than 40,000 are of the Hachiman variety, all having sprung off from the one in Usa.

It is also one of the few shrines that used to welcome royal heralds as their guardians, along side Heian jingū and Meiji jingū.

The whole time I was overtaken with awe by the vastness and beauty of the place. The honden (main hall), with its bright red color and beautiful architectural style, was designated a national treasure in November 1952. Its layout is textbook Hachiman-zukuri, a style that is rare even among Japanese shrines. The red color is meant to ward off evil sprits and misfortune, which also explains why all of Usa jingū’s torii’s ⛩ are red. The honden is accompanied by a museum, a bridge, and a number of smaller shrines.

But there’s more to Usa jingu than the architecture. This place is imbued with unique history and culture just waiting for you to come across.

For example, the praying ritual here is not something you’ll find just anywhere. You start by bowing twice, followed by four claps (traditionally two), then one last bow.

It’s even said that by running one’s hand around the trunk of the giant 800-year-old sacred tree next to the honden, one's wish will be granted. On the way to the shrine, there is a large sake bottle, which I thought was also interesting. Plus, the surrounding nature makes Usa jingū the prime spot to watch seasons come and go and hold all kinds of events.

Stepping outside takes you to a street called Nakamise bustling with souvenir shops and places to eat. There you’ll find Oita’s many signature offerings, one of them being negiyaki.

If you’re ever in Oita, I recommend you visit Usa jingu. Between its design, lores, and millennium-long history, you’re in for an experience you’ll likely never forget.