The Takayama Inari Shrine, perched on a hill overlooking the Sea of Japan, has long been the destination of pilgrims praying for a bountiful harvest, prosperity in business or safety in crossing the sea. The name of the deity worshipped here is Ukanomitama, which is the same god as is worshipped at the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto as well as in about 30,000 Inari shrines all over Japan. Ukanoitama is believed to preside over all food, and especially to protect the growth of rice. There are several smaller shrines within the Takayama complex, dedicated to the gods of water, agriculture, industry, fishing, and daily life.
History of the Shrine
Historical records of the founding of the shrine have been lost, but it is believed that it was a sacred site for travelers even before the area had been settled. It is thought that the shrine was in use even before the deification in the 17th century of the Inari god and other deities currently worshipped at this shrine.
Characteristics of Takayama Inari Shrine
In the 17th century, before this area was settled, travelers over both sea and land worshipped their guardian deities here because the area commanded a fine view of both the surrounding countryside and sea. After the settlement of the area, the site was eventually consecrated to the Inari god, whose worship was becoming widespread throughout Japan. In this region, the Inari god is revered as the guardian of agriculture, fishing, and other important aspects of the local people's lives. A number of local folktales are told about the shrine. 　
One concerns a fox who lived near the shrine. This fox was a messenger of the Inari god and could predict the size of a harvest or the coming of a storm. In Japanese folklore, foxes are said to bring good luck, but also to be deceitful. It was believed that performing the proper devotions to the Inari god would cause the fox to appear and grant people's wishes. Another story tells of a visitor to the shrine who was miraculously cured of a disease thought to be incurable. The shrine became a popular destination not only for local believers but also for pilgrims from many different parts of Japan, who would come and spend many days at prayer. These pilgrims brought with them thousands of small images of the fox and the Inari god, which can still be seen within the shrine precincts. 　 The shrine complex also contains a shinchi, a pond sacred to the god of water. Here, a kind of divination can be performed by tossing a twisted strip of paper into the pond. If it sinks immediately, your wishes will come true soon. If it sinks slowly, your wishes will come true, but only after hard work. If it floats, your wishes will never come true. Also, it is believed that if you take a branch of the mountain bamboo growing by the side of the pond and place it near the water gate of your rice field, you will have a good harvest. 　
Guide to the Shrine
After climbing the stone staircase and passing under the torii (shrine gate), you will find yourself facing the shaden. This main shrine consists of the honden, a sanctuary believed to be the residence of the deity, and the haiden, a hall of worship where people come to pray. The Sanno shrine, behind the shaden, was built before the area was settled. On the left side of the sando (the entrance path to the main shrine) is a stone believed to represent the god Meoto Yashiro. The Sangoro Inari, Kumagoro Inari, and Chiyo Inari gods are also represented within the shrine complex. On the other side of the hill is a sacred pond, built at the end of the 17th century and believed to be the residence of the dragon god. By the side of the pond is the Ryu shrine, dedicated to the god of water. A path winding through dozens of torii gates leads to a park where many small Shinto altars, as well as the statues brought by pilgrims from all over Japan, can be seen. Every August, a ceremony is held at which old altars are burned as offerings for the peace and security of the worshippers.
Ritual Etiquiette at a Shinto Shrine
Shinto shrines, or jinja, are the places where Japan's indigenous folk deities, called kami, are enshrined. Shinto has no canon of dogma, no "scriptures" and no founder. Its origin is unknown, although it has been transmitted as an everyday custom through daily life and a variety of annual observances and rites of passage in the lives of every Japanese. In short, the faith of Shinto is transmitted not through words and doctrines, but through actual behavior and activities in the everyday lives of the Japanese.
In particular, Shinto gives extremely high significance to "festival worship" or matsuri. Matsuri provide the opportunity to raise people's spirits and revitalize human nature, and Shinto shrines provide the location for these festivals. For the Japanese people, Shinto shrines are both restful places filled with a sense of the sacred, and the source of their spiritual vitality. Individuals participate in shrine festivals as members of the local community from infancy to old age; thus, shrines are sometimes called the "spiritual home" of the Japanese. 　 For the Japanese, shrines are sacred space. Since a Shinto shrine is a religious facility reflecting and embodying the faith of many people, please respect the religious traditions of others when you visit. 　 When visiting a Shinto shrine, Japanese people usually rinse their hands and mouths in symbolic purification of their entire selves, in preparation for approaching the sacred presence. First the left and then the right hand is rinsed with water at the purification font, then the mouth is rinsed with water from the left hand. Proceeding to the hall of worship, visitors place an offering of a few coins into the offering box, then stand quietly and with a collected mind, ring the bell, bow deeply twice with hands together, clap twice, and bow once again. While no one insists that you follow the same protocol, please show appropriate respect. 　
神社の年中行事
　１月１日　　　　初詣・歳旦祭
　２月初旬　　　　初午祭
　２月節分　　　　節分祭
　５月３日　　　　三王神社例祭
　５月４日　　　　熊五郎稲荷神社祭
　５月５日　　　　作丈一稲荷神社例祭
　６月３０日　　　夏越しの大祓式
　6月日曜日　　大島稲荷神社例祭
　７月２４・５日　千代稲荷神社例祭
　８月９・１０日　安鎮祭
　　
　９月１４・５日　　　　よんご稲荷神社大祭
　９月２４・５日　　　　高山稲荷神社例大祭
　１１月２３日　　　　　新嘗祭
　１２月３０日　　　　　年越しの大祓式
　旧暦３月９・１０日　春期大祭
　旧暦３月１１日　　　龍神社大祭
　旧暦６月９・１０日　夏期大祭

毎月10日には十日祭、旧暦10日には月次祭を実施します。なお日供祭は毎朝、夏は午前6時、冬は7時に実施。

Takayama Inari Jinja
 〒０３８−３３０５
 Aomori Prefecture Nishi-Tsigaru-gun Shariki Village Ushigata
 TEL　0173-56-2015
 FAX　0173-56-3595