Follow a narrow road in which only one car can barely squeeze through and journey past “the two-eyed signal” (a stoplight with only red and green lights). There you will see the Torii gate entrance to Yodohime shrine.
It is here that the deity of Yodo-Hime is enshrined and has been serving as a deity to protect the people living in the Hira district of Tomo since ancient times. Yodo-Hime is the sister of Jingu Kogo, who had a deep connection to Tomo.
Since the shrine is located on a hillside called Myojin-san, it offers breathtaking views of the port and the cape, which were said to have been praised by Rai Sanyo (1780-1832), a historian in the Edo Period. If you witness the view of the Seto Inland Sea from this point, you too will feel the presence of the guardian deity of Tomo bay.
While you’re there, don’t forget to check out “Koi-Mikuji”, which you can find at the foot of the torii.
Yodohime Shrine holds the annual “Togyo-sai Festival and Kangyo-sai Festival” on the first Saturday and Sunday in August. It is also called “Hira no Nage Mikoshi” as they roll a Mikoshi float around as if they were throwing it away. The festival is also sometimes called the “Dango Festival” as they have the tradition of making Dango before the festival.
In addition, since the festival overlaps with the Tanabata Festival of the lunal Calendar, you can witness Tanabata ornaments and lanterns displayed all over the town. Gaze at the leaves swaying in the sea breeze and experience the powerful drum rhythms in the majestic festival.
Yodohime Shrine
Address/ 1596-2 Ushiroji, Tomo-cho, Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima
