ABOUT
About this spot
Inaba Shrine stands on Inabadori in Gifu City at the foot of Mt. Inaba (Mt. Kinka). It is regarded as the third-ranked shrine of Mino Province and was formerly a national shrine of the lesser rank. Its main deity is Inishikiirihiko-no-mikoto, the first son of Emperor Suinin, who is said to have opened up this land. According to shrine tradition it was founded when Takeuchi no Sukune enshrined him at Tsubakihara, now Maruyama in Gifu Park, and in 1539 Saito Dosan moved it to its present site as the guardian shrine of Inabayama Castle. The 1891 Nobi Earthquake destroyed the shrine buildings, and the current ones were erected between 1929 and 1940. A long stone stairway leads up to the gate and halls among the trees. The shrine owns a sword designated as an Important Cultural Property. The Gifu Festival on 5 April is designated an intangible folk cultural property of Gifu City, and the Setsubun festival on 3 February features about 110 hand-held fireworks. Gifu Castle lies about 1.3 km away. Visiting the grounds is free.
Last updated October 26, 2026