Omi Jingu Shrine
Omi Jingu is a shrine of karuta*a playing cards.
It is dedicated to Emperor Tenji, who built the capital Otsukyo a long time ago.
*Karuta are Japanese playing cards.
Uta-garuta is a traditional Japanese card game in which 100 waka poems are written on two sets of 100 cards.
Its vermillion, two-storied gate gives a distinctive impression.
This shrine holds karuta game competitions to decide the best players in Japan, making it a revered place among karuta players.
Visitors can try on hakama and junihitoe-kimonos (twelve-layer kimonos) to experience the world of karuta.
Junihitoe-kimonos is a set of formal and highly complex kimono garments worn only by court-ladies in the 10th century in Japan.
