ika gu jinja

Ikagu Shrine, located in Oto, Kinomoto, Nagahama, Shiga, is a shikinaisha (Myojin Taisha) and former prefectural shrine — renowned as the finest shrine in the northern Lake Biwa region. The principal deity is Ikatsuomi-no-mikoto, regarded as the ancestral deity of the ancient Ika clan who ruled this area. The shrine is celebrated for its unique Ika-style torii gate, found nowhere else in Japan, combining elements of the great torii at Itsukushima Shrine and the triple torii of Omiwa Shrine. Each year on February 24th, the ancient Okonai ritual is performed, preserving traditions that have endured for centuries.