Shikinaisha Ichinomiya (Mikawa Province)

Toga Shrine

砥鹿神社

/ Toga Jinja

Admission
Free
Goshuin
300 yen
Access
10 min walk
Hours
Dawn to dusk

Overview

Toga Shrine is the ichinomiya (premier shrine) of former Mikawa Province, located in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture, and dedicated to Ōnamuchi-no-mikoto (Ōkuninushi), the great kami of nation-building, medicine, and agriculture. The shrine is structured as two interconnected worship sites: the Okumiya (inner shrine) at the summit of sacred Mount Hongū (789 m) and the Satomiya (lower shrine) at the mountain's base, preserving an ancient tradition of mountain worship. Shrine tradition holds that the Satomiya was founded in the Taihō era (701–704 CE) when an imperial envoy was dispatched to venerate the deity of Mount Hongū at Emperor Mommu's order. First historically documented in the Nihon Montoku Tennō Jitsuroku (850 CE), the shrine rose to national Myōjin Taisha rank in the Engishiki. Tokugawa Ieyasu granted it a stipend of 100 koku, and during the Sengoku period its precincts witnessed fighting between the Tokugawa and Imagawa forces. The shrine is celebrated for its Grand Festival (May 3–5), which features a distinctive children's yabusame (horseback archery) event. A Yayoi-period dōtaku bronze bell recovered from the area is among its treasures, reflecting the site's ancient sacred character. Toga Shrine is designated a Beppyō Jinja under the Association of Shinto Shrines.

History

Founding

📜According to tradition
701 [大宝年間(701〜704年、里宮創建の伝承)]

Ichinomiya of Mikawa Province. Has both a main shrine (satamiya) and a mountain shrine (okumiya) on Mount Hongu.

📄
Documented
851

Enshrined Deities

primary Deity

God of nation-building, agriculture, medicine, and en-musubi (binding of fates/relationships)

Blessings

Shrine Network

Practical Information

Location Coordinates

34.8514, 137.3853

Physical Address

2 Ichinomiya-cho Nishigaito, Toyokawa-shi, Aichi

愛知県豊川市一宮町西垣内2

Historical Province

Owari / Mikawa

Access

Mitsuhashi Station (Meitetsu Iida Line)

10 min walk

Hours

Dawn to dusk

Visitor information last verified: 2026-04-11. Please check the official website for the latest details.

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Background reading for visitors and pilgrims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team

What is Toga Shrine?

Toga Shrine is the ichinomiya (premier shrine) of former Mikawa Province, located in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture, and dedicated to Ōnamuchi-no-mikoto (Ōkuninushi), the great kami of nation-building, medicine, and agriculture. The shrine is structured as two interconnected worship sites: the Okumiya (inner shrine) at the summit of sacred Mount Hongū (789 m) and the Satomiya (lower shrine) at the mountain's base, preserving an ancient tradition of mountain worship. Shrine tradition holds that the Satomiya was founded in the Taihō era (701–704 CE) when an imperial envoy was dispatched to venerate the deity of Mount Hongū at Emperor Mommu's order. First historically documented in the Nihon Montoku Tennō Jitsuroku (850 CE), the shrine rose to national Myōjin Taisha rank in the Engishiki. Tokugawa Ieyasu granted it a stipend of 100 koku, and during the Sengoku period its precincts witnessed fighting between the Tokugawa and Imagawa forces. The shrine is celebrated for its Grand Festival (May 3–5), which features a distinctive children's yabusame (horseback archery) event. A Yayoi-period dōtaku bronze bell recovered from the area is among its treasures, reflecting the site's ancient sacred character. Toga Shrine is designated a Beppyō Jinja under the Association of Shinto Shrines.

Where is Toga Shrine located?

Toga Shrine is located in Toyokawa-shi, Aichi. The full address is: 2 Ichinomiya-cho Nishigaito, Toyokawa-shi, Aichi.

What deities are enshrined at Toga Shrine?

The enshrined deities are: Okuninushi no Mikoto.