is a Shinto

Shinto

or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...

 shrine located at the base of Mount Kinka

Mount Kinka (Gifu)

, also known as Kinkazan, is located in the heart of the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and rises to a height of . Previously called Mt. Inaba , it has long served as the representative symbol of Gifu. It stands along the Nagara River, creating bountiful nature within the city...

 in Gifu

Gifu, Gifu

is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used...

, Gifu Prefecture

Gifu Prefecture

is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...

, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. Originally, its name was written 稲葉神社, which is pronounced the same way. It is the main shrine that is celebrated by the city of Gifu in its annual Gifu Festival on the first Saturday of each April. Because of its size, it is a popular spot for hatsumōde

Hatsumode

is the first shrine visit of the New Year in Japan. Some people visit a Buddhist temple instead. Many visit on the first, second, or third day of the year as most are off work on those days. Generally, wishes for the new year are made, new o-mamori are bought, and the old ones are returned to the...

and Shichi-Go-San

Shichi-Go-San

is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three- and seven-year-old girls and three- and five-year-old boys, held annually on November 15...

.

Enshrined god

The god Inishiki-Irihiko-no-mikoto is enshrined and worshipped at Inaba Shrine. He is the husband of the goddess Nunoshihime-no-mikoto enshrined at Kogane Shrine

Kogane Shrine

is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. First built in 135, it has long been considered a place to pray for financial blessings. Because it is located near the city center, approximately 150,000 worshippers visit the shrine over the three-day New Year's period. On...

 and the father of the god Ichihaya-no-mikoto enshrined at Kashimori Shrine

Kashimori Shrine

is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. From long ago, it has been considered a good place for married couples and children to go for good luck. One legend associated with Kashimori Shrine is that when Tenma, a mythical horse, landed behind the shrine, it left a hoof...

. Because of the connection between the three gods, these three shrines have a very close relationship.

History

First built in the year 85, Inaba Shrine has a history of over 1900 years. Though it was originally located on Maruyama, to the north of Mount Kinka, it was moved to its present location by Saitō Dōsan

Saito Dosan

was a daimyo who dramatically rose and also fell from power in Sengoku period Japan. He was also known as the for his ruthless tactics.-Life:Originally a wealthy merchant from Yamashiro Province , he entered the service of Nagai Nagahiro of Mino Province , assuming the name Nishimura Kankurô.He...

 in 1539.

Festivals

• Setsubun
  Setsubun
  is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. The name literally means "seasonal division", but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the...
  
   Festival (February 3): Special prayer ceremonies are held at 9:20am and over 100 torches are lit at 6:00pm.
• Gifu Festival (April 5): Held in conjunction with Kashimori and Kogane shrines. (Nearby Honjō Shrine
  Honjo Shrine
  is a Shinto shrine located in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Alternative kanji for the shrine are 本庄神社 . Honjō Shrine was built as a larger shrine, but it was split into three separate shrines, of which the current Honjō Shrine is one...
  
   holds their rites on the same day.)

See also

• List of Shinto shrines
• Kashimori Shrine
  Kashimori Shrine
  is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. From long ago, it has been considered a good place for married couples and children to go for good luck. One legend associated with Kashimori Shrine is that when Tenma, a mythical horse, landed behind the shrine, it left a hoof...
  
  
• Kogane Shrine
  Kogane Shrine
  is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. First built in 135, it has long been considered a place to pray for financial blessings. Because it is located near the city center, approximately 150,000 worshippers visit the shrine over the three-day New Year's period. On...