Iwashimizu Hachimangu

Revered since ancient Heian times as one of Japan's three great Hachiman shrines, truly the principal shrine of war gods. During the Heian period, it was the protective deity of the imperial court and received devout worship from the Minamoto clan and other samurai families. Situated at the summit of Otokoyama, it stands with sublime dignity overlooking the capital. There is also a story that bamboo from this shrine was used in Edison's invention of the electric light bulb, demonstrating how this shrine has long supported the lives of the people.