Tanzan Shrine

Overview

Tanzan Shrine, an ancient shrine founded in 678 during the Asuka period, sits at the foot of the sacred 437-meter Tamu-mine mountain in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture. Originally, Nakatomi no Kamako built "Daikan Daiji" temple at the current location of the thirteen-story pagoda, marking the beginning of Tanzan Shrine's iconic structure. After several fires and subsequent rebuilds, the current pagoda was reconstructed in 1532 (Tenbun 1) by Harumoto Hosokawa, the kanrei (military governor) of the Muromachi Shogunate. Throughout history, Tanzan Shrine has enjoyed deep reverence from the Imperial family and court. During the Kamakura period, Emperor Gotoba frequently visited and composed poems there. The shrine is also famous as the site where Nakatomi no Kamako and Prince Naka no Oe (later Emperor Tenji) discussed the Taika Reform in the Nara period. This highlights Tanzan Shrine's profound connection to Japanese history. The shrine complex includes various structures such as the main hall (honden), offering hall (haiden), kagura hall (kaguraden), and gatehouse (roumon). The grounds are also adorned with beautiful seasonal flowers, including cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves in autumn. Tanzan Shrine offers a tranquil and mystical atmosphere surrounded by history and nature, providing visitors with peace and a sense of empowerment.