ABOUT
About this spot
Tosa Shrine (Tosa Jinja) is in Ichinomiya, Kochi City, and is the ichinomiya, or chief shrine, of the former Tosa Province. It enshrines Ajisukitakahikone and Hitokotonushi. Its tradition holds that it was founded in the reign of Emperor Yuryaku, and it first appears in the Nihon Shoki in the year 675. The shrine's main hall, heiden (offering hall) and haiden (worship hall) were rebuilt by the warlord Chosokabe Motochika and completed in 1571. They are designated Important Cultural Properties. The Yamauchi lords of the Tosa Domain later added the two-storey gate (1631) and the drum tower (1649), which are also designated. The heiden and haiden form a cross-shaped layout called "iri-tonbo", said to symbolise a triumphant return from battle and unique to this shrine. The Shinane Festival on August 24 and 25 is one of the three major festivals of Tosa. The grounds, with large cedar and camphor trees, are quiet in any season. It is about 15 minutes on foot from JR Tosa-Ichinomiya Station, or about 15 minutes by bus from Kochi Station to the Ichinomiya Jinja-mae stop. Allow about an hour.
Last updated October 25, 2026