Matsuo Taisha Shrine

This shrine was founded by Hata no Imikitori in 701 AD. Then, after the Japanese capital was moved to Kyoto in 794 AD, the gods of the shrine were adored as the guards of the new capital, together with the gods of Kamo-jinja.

They found that sake, Japanese rice wine, would be clearer and keep longer if it was made with the water spring out in the shrine precincts. Then, the gods of the shrine has been believed to be gods of sake so that many sake makers worship and dedicate casks of sake to the shrine.
Pictures Taken August 2004
Torii gateway of Matsuo Taisha. The gate of Matsuo Taisha.
Main hall of Matsuo Taisha. Casks dedicated by sake makers.
Front of shrine Shrine Office/ Entrance of the garden
Small waterfalls and torii. The water fountain (Kemenoi)
Kyokusui Garden (Heian Period) Horai Garden (Kamakura Period)
The water fountain (Kemenoi) Ichinoi River