Nogi Jinja

Nogi Shrine is located in Nogi Town, Shimotsuga District, Tochigi Prefecture. According to tradition, during the reign of Emperor Nintoku, Prince Narabetsu arrived as the Shimotsuke no Kuni-no-miyatsuko and enshrined the remains of Ujinowakiiratsuko no Mikoto — Crown Prince to Emperor Ojin — at this site. During the Enryaku era, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro built a new shrine hall upon returning from a campaign against the Emishi. In the Koan era, five additional deities were enshrined. During the Edo period, it served as the chief shrine of seven villages in Samukawa District and received veneration from the Doi clan, lords of Koga domain. A ginkgo tree said to have been planted by Tamuramaro, estimated at 1,200 years old, still stands in the grounds, and a folk practice of praying for improved lactation continues today.