ABOUT
About this spot
Isonokami Shrine stands at the foot of Mt. Furu in Furu-cho, Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, and is counted among the oldest shrines in Japan. Its chief deity is Futsunomitama no Okami, and the sacred object of worship is the sword Futsunomitama. According to shrine tradition it was founded in the 7th year of Emperor Sujin's reign. Its rank rose to Shoichii (Junior First Rank) in the Heian period, and it was listed as a Myojin Taisha shrine in the Engishiki and later as a Kanpei Taisha. The present main hall was completed in 1913. Behind the worship hall lies a restricted sacred area of about 1,300 square meters that visitors cannot enter; items excavated from it are designated Important Cultural Properties. The highlight is the Haiden (worship hall), a National Treasure believed to date from the early Kamakura period and said to be the oldest worship hall in Japan. Its large roof and vermilion pillars stand out against the green trees. The two-story Romon gate, built in 1318, is an Important Cultural Property. The worship hall of the auxiliary shrine Izumo Takeo Jinja is also a National Treasure. The chickens are another memorable feature. About 30 are kept free-roaming as sacred messengers, and you can see them walking around visitors. The seven-branched sword (Shichishito), a National Treasure handed down as a shrine treasure, is widely known as evidence of ancient exchange with East Asia. Annual events include the Furu Festival on October 15, the Chinkonsai on November 22, and the Shinken Togyosai (Dendensai) on June 30. Monthly rites are held on the 1st and 15th. The grounds are lush; early morning suits a quiet walk, and fresh green and autumn are pleasant seasons. Allow about 30 to 60 minutes to see the hall, gate and chickens. The shrine lies on the Yamanobe no Michi, an ancient path along the eastern edge of the Nara Basin, and many visitors walk south toward Omiwa Shrine. Hase-dera Temple in Sakurai is about 8.5 km away in a straight line, so the two can be combined by car or train. It is about a 30-minute walk from Tenri Station. A Nara Kotsu bus to the Isonokami Jingu-mae stop takes you within about a 5-minute walk, but buses are infrequent, so check the timetable. By car it is about 5 minutes from the Tenri-Higashi IC on the Meihan National Route, with several free parking lots. Phone: 0743-62-0900.
Last updated October 24, 2026