Ujigami Shrine

Ujigami Shrine (宇治上神社, Ujigami Jinja) is one of Japan’s oldest and most revered Shinto shrines, believed to be the oldest surviving shrine structure in the country. Built around 1060 during the Heian period, it originally served as the guardian shrine for the nearby Byodoin Temple. In 1994, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.” Ujigami Shrine is an exceptional example of early Shinto architecture, with its main hall (honden) built in the nagare-zukuri style, featuring a gracefully curved, asymmetrical roof that extends forward to shelter worshippers. The understated yet refined wooden construction reflects the simplicity, harmony, and craftsmanship that define traditional Japanese religious architecture.

Beyond the main hall, the shrine grounds include one of Japan's oldest oratories (haiden), used for worship, and a sacred spring believed to hold purifying powers. The entire site remains remarkably well-preserved, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the spiritual and architectural traditions of ancient Japan. Ujigami Shrine stands not only as a place of worship, but also as a living testament to over a millennium of Shinto practice and Japanese cultural heritage.