Mayama Jinja
📍 Akita, Oga-shi Kitaura Mayama Mizukuisawa 97 · Oga
About
Founded1920
EnshrinedEmperor Meiji, Empress Shoken
RankImperial Shrine (Kanpei Taisha)
FestivalNovember 3 (Annual Festival)
HeritageHonden (Registered Cultural Property)
Website www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/
History
Mayama Jinja is an ancient shrine standing on Mount Mayama, the sacred peak of the Oga Peninsula. Since ancient times, this mountain has been known as a holy site of the Shugendo tradition, serving as a center of mountain worship visited by numerous practitioners. Particularly famous is its deep connection with 'Namahage.' In the Namahage ritual performed every New Year's Eve, the Namahage, said to be the messengers of the gods, traverse the villages, exorcise evil spirits, and bring good fortune. This shrine, where the divine nature of Mount Mayama and ancient beliefs continue to breathe, symbolizes the culture of Oga.
Benefits
protection from calamitygood healthhousehold safetyexorcism of evil spiritsgood fortune and prosperityfulfillment of wisheslove of one's homeland
