Tradition/Customs

[Takahata Town, Yamagata Prefecture] A shrine dedicated to dogs and cats? Detailed introduction to the history of Inu no Miya and Neko no Miya

As the saying goes, "eight million gods," it is said that there are more than 150,000 shrines and temples across the country

There are many gods enshrined there, but the most enshrined in Japan is Hachiman. Is there a Hachiman shrine near where you live?

There are many shrines and temples all over the country, and some are a little unusual, as well as shrines that enshrine certain gods

One such unusual shrine is located in Takahata Town, Higashiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture, and is called "Inu no Miya" (Dog's Palace) and "Neko no Miya" (Cat's Palace), both shrines dedicated to dogs and cats

Yamagata Prefecture has a shrine dedicated to dogs and cats, which is rare nationwide

Yamagata Prefecture is home to many shrines and temples. Some of the most famous are Mount Hoju-san Risshaku-ji Temple, Dewa Sanzan Shrine, where you can undergo training at the Dewa Sanzan mountains, known as a sacred site in the Tohoku region, and Uesugi Shrine, which enshrines Uesugi Kenshin, a famous general from the Warring States period

Source: Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Travel to Yamagata"

Among the many famous shrines, did you know that Takahata Town also has a shrine dedicated to dogs and cats?

The shrines, known as "Inu no Miya" and "Nekono Miya," are dedicated to dogs and cats, respectively, and are visited by not only local residents but also people who wish to express their gratitude to dogs and cats

Inu no Miya is a shrine nestled quietly in the mountains near the center of Takahata town. As you approach, the air becomes crisp and clear, and after praying, you can't help but feel a renewed sense of gratitude towards your beloved dog

Cat Shrine is located next to Dog Shrine, and just like Dog Shrine, there is a constant stream of people visiting to offer prayers for the health and well-being of cats. Nearby is Rinshoin Temple, which manages both Dog Shrine and Cat Shrine, so it is easy to find if you use Rinshoin Temple as a landmark

The relationship between the Dog Palace, the Cat Palace and local residents

Many people may think that shrines dedicated to dogs and cats were built because of the recent pet boom, but it is said that the Dog Shrine and Cat Shrine were first built around the Wadō era (708-715) and the Enryaku era (782-806)

Preserving the old legends

The shrine enshrines a dog and a cat that are said to have saved the villagers from misfortune, and the dogs are said to be the two dogs that defeated an old raccoon dog that was disguised as an official from the capital and collecting taxes from the villagers

At Neko no Miya, the grudge of an old raccoon dog that was supposed to have been defeated by a dog appeared as a giant snake, which was then defeated by a pet cat. The cat then died, so its owner buried it with great care and built a Kannon hall to hold a memorial service for it

Both the Dog Shrine and the Cat Shrine were built to express gratitude to the dogs and cats who lost their lives in the service of the villagers

Source: Takahata Town (Dog Palace and Cat Palace)

Even today, there is a constant stream of visitors to the Dog Shrine and Cat Shrine

This is because people feel grateful to the dogs and cats that have lived alongside them both in the past and present. Photographs of dogs and cats were posted at both shrines, and you could really feel the deep affection of their owners

(It is now prohibited to hang photographs in the worship hall, and they must be kept in a box.)

Initiatives to protect the Dog Palace and the Cat Palace forever

September 2022: Dog and Cat

A town facility called "Dog and Cat Peace Village" with a pet ossuary has opened near Nomiya

It is not only a place where dogs and cats can be interred, but can also be used for pet-related events

One of the goals is to use the profits to continue protecting the Dog Palace and Cat Palace forever, and efforts are being made in the local area to continue protecting the Dog Palace and Cat Palace

A pet memorial service is held every summer

In Takahata Town, where the Dog Shrine and Cat Shrine are located, a pet memorial service is held once a year on the fourth Saturday of July

A memorial service will be held for each pet that has lived as a member of the family, with sutras being recited for each pet

Participation requires a memorial fee and requires an application to participate, but if you would like to hold a memorial service, please feel free to contact us

Contact: Takahata Portal Z

If you care for your pets, why not visit Dog Palace or Cat Palace?

We introduced a shrine in Takahata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, which is rare nationwide and enshrines dogs and cats

Source: Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Site "Travel to Yamagata"

As the shrine is located deep in the mountains, it is closed off by snow in the winter, but why not visit it in the warmer seasons and enjoy the nature of Takahata Town?

There are also famous shrines such as Akutsu Hachiman Shrine in the area around Inunomiya and Nekonomiya, so it is recommended as part of a shrine tour

Inu no Miya <Information>

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