Ujigami Shrine

Until the Meiji era (1868-1912), Ujigami Shrine was called “Rikyu-josha” in combination with the neighboring Uji Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Ojin, his son Uji-no-Wakiiratsuko, and his elder brother Emperor Nintoku. The hall of worship in front of the precincts dates back to the early Kamakura period and is in the shinden-zukuri style. The roof, which uses a technique known as “clinging gable” (sugaruhafu), is particularly beautiful. The main hall was built in the late Heian period (794-1185) and is the oldest existing shrine building in Japan. The toadstools on either side of the main building are also important as they indicate the date of construction. The shrine was registered as a World Heritage site in 1994.

Main Shrine and Worship Hall of Ujigami Shrine 
The main shrine is the oldest existing shrine building in Japan (built in the late Heian period). It is a three-building shrine of the Fujiwara period called Ikkensha Nagare-zukuri, and the ornamental frog’s crotch in the front is known as one of the three frog’s crotches of the Fujiwara period. The hall of worship is from the Kamakura period and both are national treasures. It is also registered as a World Heritage site.