Visited in person · Original photography
Origins and founding
It enshrines Sarutahiko Okami, the guiding god who led the heavenly deities down to earth at the time of the descent of the heavenly grandchild. The chief priests have been, generation after generation, the Uji-Doko family, said to be his descendants. It stands close to the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu.
The entrance to the grounds. A torii is visible beyond the shimenawa.
The “sazare-ishi” in the grounds.
What to see
The direction stone: an octagonal stone pillar carved with the directions of the twelve zodiac signs. Sarume Jinja: an auxiliary shrine enshrining Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, the goddess who danced before the Heavenly Rock Cave, known as the god of the performing arts.
Koi swimming in the pond in the grounds.
The main hall, lined with banners reading “Sarume Jinja”.
Cultural context
It is regarded as the shrine to visit at the start of something. As the god who opens the way, he is prayed to for starting a business, changing jobs, moving house, and for the purification of a new car. Many visitors pair it with a visit to Ise Jingu.