Miwa Shrine is located in Ibigawa Town, Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture. Revered since ancient times as the principal guardian shrine of the Ibigawa area, it has long served as an important center of local faith. Its former shrine rank was Ken-sha, or prefectural shrine, reflecting its historical significance to the community.
Omononushi-no-Okami
Omononushi-no-Okami is regarded as the gentle spiritual aspect of Okuninushi-no-Okami. Locally, the deity is affectionately known as “Daikoku-sama” or “Myojin-san” and is widely worshipped as a god who brings happiness, good fortune, and prosperity.
The origins of Miwa Shrine are said to date back to the reign of Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. According to tradition, Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, the deity enshrined at Suwa Taisha in Nagano Prefecture, established Miwa Shrine in this area and enshrined Miwa Myojin.
The Miwa people who settled here engaged in agriculture and gradually developed the surrounding land into fertile fields. Around the time Japan’s capital was moved to Kyoto, Dengyo Daishi Saicho, the founder of Japanese Tendai Buddhism, is said to have visited the shrine. He later established Yokokuraji Temple in Tanigumi and revered Miwa Shrine as a guardian deity.
During the medieval period, when Shinto and Buddhism were closely integrated, Miwa Shrine became widely respected as a protective shrine of the Tendai Buddhist tradition. Historical accounts also associate Saicho’s visit to the area with the founding of Yokokuraji Temple.
The exact date of Miwa Shrine’s founding is unknown. However, the area was known as Ōmiwa-go in Ōno District during the Nara period (710–794), suggesting that the Miwa clan held considerable influence here from ancient times.
A local legend states that in 803, during the Enryaku era, Saicho met Fujiwara no Sukemoto, also known as Miwa Jiro Dayu, in this area and subsequently established Yokokuraji Temple.
The shrine’s main sanctuary was rebuilt in 1315. In 1577, it was relocated to its present site. During the early Edo period (1603–1868), the buildings were repaired under the direction of Nishio Mitsunori, lord of Ibi Castle, and Okada Yoshimasa, a hatamoto retainer associated with the Ibi administrative headquarters.
The sanctuary suffered severe damage during the Isewan Typhoon of 1959. The present main sanctuary was rebuilt in 1961.
Omononushi-no-Okami, the principal deity of Miwa Shrine, is widely worshipped as Daikoku-sama and associated with Okuninushi-no-Okami. The deity is revered as a god of musubi, the power of forming connections and bringing things together.
Worshippers pray for a wide range of blessings, including:
Love and relationships: Good fortune in romantic relationships and meaningful connections.
Protection from misfortune: Prayers for protection against bad luck and harmful influences.
Family safety: Peace and security for the household.
Road safety: Protection while traveling and driving.
Recovery from illness: Prayers for healing and good health.
Protection from unfavorable directions: Spiritual protection against misfortune associated with particular directions.
The Ibi Festival, held annually on May 4 and 5, is Miwa Shrine’s best-known annual festival and an important local tradition.
The main festival ceremony takes place on May 4, followed by a portable shrine procession on May 5. The celebrations feature five lavishly decorated festival floats and performances of Chigo Kabuki, a traditional form of kabuki theater performed by children.
During the procession, three large portable shrines belonging to the main shrine and 11 additional portable shrines organized by local neighborhoods, including those carried by young people and children, travel through the town amid lively festivities.
Gifu Prefecture Designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property
The decorative festival floats used during the Ibi Festival are important cultural assets that reflect the area’s history and traditions. The Ibigawa History and Folklore Museum features a permanent exhibition about the festival, including models of its five floats.
Miwa Shrine’s grounds include the following auxiliary shrines:
Shinmei Shrine
Kasuga Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine
Sanrei Shrine
Miwa Shrine has been deeply cherished by local residents as a place of worship since ancient times. Dedicated to Omononushi-no-Okami, it is associated with numerous blessings and continues to preserve the area’s traditions through events such as the Ibi Festival. A visit offers an opportunity to experience the region’s history, religious heritage, and enduring community culture.