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World Heritage Ujigami-jinja Shrine
It is unknown when the shrine was founded. A dating survey in Uji City revealed that it is considered the oldest existing shrine dated around 1060. Ujigami Shrine and Uji shrine which is adjacent to Ujigami Shrine was once a combination of two shrine, and both were collectively called Uji Rikyu Myojin. After the Meiji era, they separated into Ujigami Shrine and Uji Shrine. Both Ujigami Shrine and Uji shrine are considered to be the guardian shrine of Byodoin Temple located in the other side of Uji River.
This is the Worship Hall in front of the main hall which is designated as a national treasure. It was built in the early Kamakura period. There is the “clean sand” in front of the Worship Hall, which cleanse the precincts throughout the year. You can buy it at the office. In addition, there is the only existing spring water of Uji Seven Famous Waters, “Kirihara-sui”, in the precincts. But it cannot be used as drinking water.
This is the main shrine designated as a national treasure. Built in the late Heian period, it is considered to be the oldest shrine. The left hall (on the right) enshrines Ujinowaki-iratsuko no mikoto, Emperor Ojin’s son, the middle hall enshrines Emperor Ojin, and the right hall (on the left) enshrines Emperor Nintoku. The painting on the main shrine doors are designated as an important cultural property as a painting.
There is a huge zelkova tree selected as one of the 100 best trees in Uji City.
The Tale of GENJI Museum
After leaving Ujigami Shrine, walk along Sawarabi no Michi, you will find the Tale of Genji Museum. Introducing the Tale of Genji that has been loved for over a thousand years and the glamorous world of the Heian period with models and videos.
The Tale of Genji was written by Murasaki Shikibu (973-1014), a female writer who served Fujiwara no Shoshi, the daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga Kampaku, and is a world-famous classical literature consisting of 54 chapters. A feature-length novel depicting 70 years of events, it is considered to be the greatest masterpiece in the history of Japanese literature. The last 10 chapters set Uji as the main stage of The Tale of Genji.
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45-26 Uji-Higashiuchi Uji-city Kyoto
Open 9:00 – 17:00 (closed on Monday)
website
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There is the stone statue of Murasaki Shikibe on the west side of Uji-bashi Bridge over Uji-gawa River, near the entrance of the approach to Byodoin Temple.
Click here for shops around Byodo-in Temple.
Click here for information of Byodo-in Temple.
