Osa-jinja Shrine

Historic Shrine's Beautiful Cherry Blossom Collaboration

Osa-jinja Shrine (大麻神社), standing at the foot of Mount Ōsa in the southern part of Zentsūji City, Kagawa Prefecture, is a historic shrine.
Over 1900 years ago, during the era of Emperor Keikō (景行天皇), the Imbe Uji (忌部氏) cultivated the surrounding area and planted hemp, enshrining their ancestral deity, Amenofutodama-no-Mikoto (天太玉命).
This shrine is recorded in the "Engishiki (延喜式)," a Heian period compilation, highlighting its long history.
The main deities, the seated statues of Amenofutodama-no-Mikoto (天太玉命座像) and Hikohoninigi-no-Mikoto (彦火瓊々杵命), are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

The shrine's vast sacred grove, covering approximately 7,800 square meters, is primarily composed of Lithocarpus glaber trees and is home to various lianes and ferns, designated as a Natural Monument of Kagawa Prefecture.
In spring, the approach to the shrine is adorned with Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, creating a stunning sight as delicate pink petals flutter gently in front of the serene shrine.

Every year, on the first Sunday of October, the grand autumn festival is held, where five groups of Shishimai dancers (獅子舞組) gather to perform their powerful and impressive dances.