Okayama | Is Kibitsu Shrine, the second largest shrine in Japan, the Kibitsu Shrine of the Demon King of the Valley of the Wind, really Momotaro?

Kibitsu Shrine is the general guardian of Kibi Province. It is the only Kibi-style building in Japan. The main hall is connected to the worship hall. The roof is a Hiwa-in-no-mo-ya-zukuri style. From the side, it looks like two roofs, which is quite special. There were two fires. The remaining building was rebuilt by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1425. It is twice as large as Izumo Taisha Shrine and only slightly smaller than Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. It is the second largest shrine in Japan.

If Okayama is the hometown of Momotaro, then Kibitsu Shrine is the prototype of the Momotaro story. Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto is enshrined here. He is the third prince of Emperor Korei. In the past, there was an evil ghost named Ura in Kibi Province. He lived in the ghost town mountain and often attacked villagers. Later, the emperor asked Kibitsuhiko to fight. Legend has it that Ura turned into a carp and wanted to escape. Kibitsuhiko turned into a pelican and eliminated the evil ghost. Does this story look familiar? It is similar to the vein of Momotaro fighting ghosts.

The shrine also has a 360-meter-long wooden corridor that leads all the way to the back door. The beautiful scenery is spectacular whether you walk in it or watch from the side.

📍Address: 931 Kibitsu, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 701-1341
🚗JR Kibitsu Station is a 15-minute walk away

#5月好去处2025

Post by 旅行中的野馬 | Jun 4, 2025