最上稲荷 Saijo Inari（ Saijo Inari-san Myokyoji ）

A symbol of the Japanese spirit and culture for more than 1200 years, Saijo Inari Temple continues to attract people from all over the country even today.

Known as the setti ng for J a p a n’s mo st fa mou s folk t ale, “T he Legen d o f M o m otaro,” K ibi Pl ain feat u r es a numb e r of bu rial m o und s c r e ate d m ore t h a n 1 5 00 years e a r l ier. Sai j o Inari and i t s enormous O-( the gat e at the temple's entrance） standing 27 meters tall, situated on the mountainside overlooking the plain, offer s one o f the most eye-c atching scenes found in this lush countryside.

The official name of the temple is “Saijo Ina ri-san Myokyo-ji.” Because torii are s y m bols of shrines, the torii at S aij o I nari m a kes th i s temple a rare example of the religions of ancient . Every year about 3 million peo ple vis it th i s temple, wher e “Saij oi Kyo- o D aibos atsu, ” beli e v e d responsible for prosperity in business and good harvests, is wo rshipped.

Saijo Inari, boasting a h istory stret chi ng back more than 1200 years, is Inari temple devoted to protecting the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of . It is known as one of three major Inari in Japan along with Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine and Toyokawa Inari Temple. Legend has it that the well-trained priest Ho- on D aishi h ad a vis ion of S aij oi Kyo- o Daibosatsu (known affecti onately a s “Saijo Sama”), the principal image, and became enlightened in 752 while worshipping at the stone outcropping known as Hachijoiwa. After this vision, Ho-on Daishi built a temple near the site in 785 and named it "Ryuozan Jinguji." After flourishing for hundreds of years as a venerable tem ple, t h e buildings were unfortunately lost due to damage sustained during the civil war in the late 16th century.

However, the temple was rebuilt in 1601 by the priest Nichien Shonin, who was visiting from the Kanto region (near modern-day Tokyo), and the temple was renamed “Saijo Inari-san Myokyoji .” Since then, the temple has been revered by many people as “Saijo Sama, bringer of mysterious divine favor.”

Within the temple grounds stand the former main hall, Kyu-Honden, and the historic wooden building known as Konpon-daido(memorial service hall). In addition, during hatsumode (the new year's first temple visit to pray for luck), large numbers of people visit the temple to pray for peace and happiness in the coming year. Inside the Temple

O-Torii Gate(Great Gate) Honden (Main Hall)

One of the symbols of Saijo Inari Temple, this torii Visited annually by some 3 million worshippers stand s 27 . 5 m e t ers t all w ith p i lla r s b oasting and visitors, Honden(Main Hall) stands as the diameters of 4.6 meters and weighs 2,800 tonnes all temple ’s r e pre s e n tative b uildi n g . A l a r ge together, making it one of Japan’s largest. In 2014, 12 meters long and weighing 1.5 the torii was repainted in the traditional red ocher tonnes, made from dried rice-stalk “straw,” hangs color pigment (Bengara) used since ancient times. on the front of the hall. The voices of priest The parking at the base of the torii allows visitors to chanting can sometimes be heard coming from take a taxi right up to the torii for a closer look. within this huge, solemn building, filling the air with an aura of sacredness.

Kansho-tei Garden(Temple Garden) Niomon Gate

Invoking the style of Japanese gardens from Built in the architectural style of India, this stone gate is 500 years ago, this garden is characterized by a rare specimen and has been specified a Registered its exciting arrangement of stones. The Tangible Cultural Property. The powerful golden images garden’s sacred stone stands highest in the e nsh rine d w ith in th e g a te are known a s the “ N i o.” garden against a backdrop of pine trees. The Renovated in 2013, the bright white of the new stone withered waterfall in front of this stone is said gate offers a striking contrast to the golden images to flow with the mercy of the Bosatsu and within, welcoming visitors in spectacular fashion. nourish the pond below, which serves as a gathering place.

Kyu-Honden（ Former Main Hall）

Among the four wooden buildings that comprise Kyu-Honden, the innermost building is the oldest, having been built in 1741. The building's hiwada buki (cypress bark thatched roofing) and the delicately sculpted pillars are just two examples of traditional aspects found in the wooden structures of Japan. Within Kyu-Honden, the thirty guardian deities known as “Sanjubanshin” are worshipped. ＊"Sanjuban shin" is a synchronism of and Buddhism, with 30 deities taking turns every day guarding the nation and the people. Temple Map

Hachijoiwa(Sacred Stones) Shichijushichi massha (77 deities who each take a specialized role)

En no Massha (Two deities who quit a bad thing and Kyu-Honden (Former Main Hall) join good relation together.)

Sekich（o Stone Carving） Ho-on Daishi Goby（o Mausoleum）

Honden (Main Hall) Hideyoshi Honjin Ichi-no-maru (observation platform), Nichiren Shonin Statue (Nichiren who spread the teaching of the Lotus Sutra is a founder of Nichiren sect of Buddhism)

Kansho-tei Garden(Temple Garden) Infomation FREEFREE WiWi-FFii Fortune Shop “Yukari” (Souvenir shop)

General Information Board Niomon Gate Konpon-daido (Memorial Service Hall)

Monzenmach（i Approach）

Access to Saijo Inari

Saijo Inari（Saijo Inari-san Myokyo-ji Temple） 712 Takamatsuinari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 701-1331 Tel: 086-287-3700 / Fax: 086-287-3709

Hours: 24-hour admittance（ Open year-round）*Reception desk and shop: 9:00am - 4:30pm

Admission: Free *Admission is free with the exception of some facilities （ such as Kansho-tei Garden（Temple Garden））.

Kansho-tei Garden(Temple Garden): Hours: 9:30am - 3:00pm

Admission: General 300 yen; students and groups 200 yen; elementary school students and younger free Access to Saijo Inari

Access

Saijo Inari Niimi Tsuyama

Chugoku Expressway Okayama Expressway Okayama Airport JR Bitchu-Takamatsu Sta. Okayama-Soja JR Okayama Sta. Sanyo Expressway Kurashiki JR Hakata Sta. JR Shin-Osaka Sta.

Fukuoka Airport

Kansai International Airport

By train By car

From Kansai International Airport: 5 km from Okayama-Soja IC on the Okayama Expressway (10 minutes by car). 50 minutes to JR Shin-Osaka Sta. on conventional Take Japan National Route 180 toward Okayama to lines. reach the enormous torii. 50 minutes to JR Okayama Sta. on Shinkansen. Parking for up to 5,000 vehicles is available in the 20 minutes to JR Bitchu-Takamatsu Sta. on the surrounding area. Momotaro(Kibi) Line, and then 5 minutes by taxi. Handicapped parking (five spaces) is available in Or, 15 km (20 minutes by taxi) from Sports Park the temple. Gate(West Gate) of Okayama Sta.

From Fukuoka Airport: 5 minutes from Fukuokakuko (Airport) Sta. to JR Hakata Sta. on the municipal subway Kuko Line. 1 hour 50 minutes to JR Okayama Sta. on By plane Shinkansen. 20 minutes to JR Bitchu-Takamatsu Sta. on the 8 km from Okayama Airport (10 minutes by taxi). Momotaro(Kibi) Line, and then 5 minutes by taxi. Or, 15 km (20 minutes by taxi) from Sports Park Gate(West Gate) of Okayama Sta.

From JR Okayama Sta.: 20 minutes to JR Bitchu-Takamatsu Sta. on the Momotaro(Kibi) Line, and then 5 minutes by taxi. Or, 15 km (20 minutes by taxi) from Sports Park Gate(West Gate) of Okayama Sta.