Usahachiman Shrine

Enshrining Emperor Ojin as its deity, this shrine is located halfway up Mt. Usa to the west of Omi Jingu Shrine. According to the Jimon Denki Horoku [addendum of temple record] of Miidera Temple, in 1065, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi founded the shrine in Mt. Usa by sharing the sacred spirit from Usa Hachimangu Shrine with the cooperation of Priest Gyokan to whom Yoriyoshi was devoted. It is said that while selecting the place to found the shrine, Yoriyoshi went up into Mt. Usa. Then, some sacred doves took off and guided him to the place where Hachimangu should be enshrined. On top of the rock, a footprint was left as a divine revelation. If you go up the path to the shrine, you will still find a large rock called “Oashigata”, which respectfully means footprint.