MUKO JINJA
向日神社
Bamboo Museum
The ecological garden is designed as a strolling Japanese-style garden, and is constructed so that you can observe the ecology of bamboo and bamboo while walking along the promenade in a deep green environment of bamboo and bamboo. Bamboo and bamboo grass that are planted are labeled with the name of the plant, and it is a recreational place where you can enjoy bamboo forest bathing in a green environment as well as a place where you can learn academically as well as just appreciate it. It is a bamboo park that is highly regarded as a bamboo park that is famous not only in Japan but also in the world.
Visitors approach the shrine by walking along a stone paved path leading from the nearby main road. The path is sloped gently up the hill and lined by cherry trees, azalea flowers and maple trees, making it well worth visiting in the spring and fall.
It is said that Muko Jinja originated when the deity Mitoshi no kami came to Mt. Muko and encouraged the rice crop.
There were several other deities enshrined here when new buildings were constructed at in the year 718 but it fell into decline by the middle ages and merged to become Muko Jinja in 1275.
Of particular note are two festivals that are held here. The “Sakura Festival” is held in April and visitors can view flower arrangement exhibitions and musical performances. In October, the "Fire Festival" is held in where wooden prayer sticks are burned to pray for a life of happiness and free of disease.