Sakurai Shrine, also known as Niwanidani Hachimangu, is a historic Shinto shrine located in Katakura, Minami Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. It is recorded as a Shikinaisha, a shrine listed in the ancient Engishiki records, and was formerly classified as a prefectural shrine under Japan’s modern shrine ranking system.
Sakurai Shrine is particularly notable because its Worship Hall is designated as a National Treasure. It is the only shrine in Sakai City with a National Treasure-designated worship hall, making it an important example of Japan’s historic religious architecture.
Sakurai Shrine enshrines three principal deities, each associated with one of the shrine’s three sanctuary sections.
Central Sanctuary – Emperor Ojin: The 15th emperor of Japan, who is also widely worshipped as Hachiman, a deity associated with warriors and protection.
Eastern Sanctuary – Emperor Chuai: The 14th emperor of Japan and a figure appearing in Japan’s ancient historical and legendary traditions.
Western Sanctuary – Empress Jingu: The wife of Emperor Chuai, who has traditionally been revered as a powerful female deity associated with military campaigns.
The origins of Sakurai Shrine are traditionally traced to the Sakurai Asomi clan, who are said to have worshipped their ancestor Takeuchi no Sukune.
In 597, during the fifth year of the reign of Empress Suiko, a Hachiman shrine was also enshrined here. Since then, the shrine has been deeply respected by people in the surrounding community.
The Engishiki Jinmyocho, completed in 927, records Sakurai Shrine as a Shikinaisha in Otori District of the former Izumi Province.
As the practice of combining Buddhist and Shinto traditions developed during the Heian period, Kiyuyuzan Jinguji Temple was established within the shrine grounds.
In 1337, Uegami Tsunetsugu, the lord of Uegami Castle, constructed shrine buildings. However, during Oda Nobunaga’s campaign against Kishu in 1577, all of the shrine buildings except the Worship Hall were destroyed by fire, and the shrine’s lands were confiscated.
In 1588, Kato Kiyomasa rebuilt the Amida Hall. The shrine was subsequently restored during the Genroku era (1688–1704).
Following the government’s policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism in 1868, Buddhist statues, scriptures, and other religious objects were transferred to other temples as the shrine underwent another major transformation.
In 1872, Sakurai Shrine was classified as a Go-sha, a village-level shrine under the modern shrine ranking system. In 1942, it was elevated to the status of a Fu-sha, or prefectural shrine.
Between 1908 and 1910, a number of other shrines were also consolidated with Sakurai Shrine.
The Worship Hall of Sakurai Shrine was constructed in the early Kamakura period. It features a kirizuma-zukuri gabled roof and traditional Japanese kawara tile roofing.
Its simple design incorporates characteristics of Buddhist temple architecture. Particularly distinctive is its wariden or divided worship hall layout, with a passageway running through the center. This is a rare architectural feature among Shinto shrines.
The building was designated a Specially Protected Building in 1917 and officially designated a National Treasure in 1953.
Main Sanctuary: Reconstructed in 1881.
Heiden: The offering hall connecting the Worship Hall and Main Sanctuary.
Middle Gate: Constructed in 1931.
Mikoshi Storehouse: Originally built as a bell tower in 1731 and later converted into a storehouse for the shrine’s portable mikoshi.
Shinmon Gate: An impressive gate reconstructed in 1702.
Several smaller shrines stand within the grounds of Sakurai Shrine and continue to serve as places of worship.
Shirafuku Inari Shrine enshrines Ukemochi no Kami, a deity associated with food and sustenance.
Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to Ebisu, a deity widely worshipped in Japan as a guardian of business prosperity and commercial success.
Shokon Shrine is dedicated to commemorating and consoling the spirits of those who died in service.
The annual Autumn Festival is held on the first Sunday of October and is particularly famous for the performance of Uegamiya no Koodori, a traditional folk dance offered as part of the shrine’s ceremonies.
The dance was originally performed as an offering at Kunikami Shrine and has been carefully preserved as an important part of the local cultural heritage.
The Worship Hall of Sakurai Shrine was designated a Specially Protected Building in 1917 in recognition of its architectural beauty and historical significance. In 1953, it was designated a National Treasure under Japan’s cultural property protection system.
Wooden Sacred Statue: A wooden religious sculpture designated as an Osaka Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property in 1982.
Stone Lantern: A stone craft dating from 1412, the 19th year of the Oei era, designated as a cultural property in 1970.
The nearest major station is Izumigaoka Station on the Semboku Rapid Railway.
From the station, take Nankai Bus Route 23 toward Hata and get off at Sakurai-jinja-mae. The shrine is just a short walk from the bus stop.
Alternatively, take Nankai Bus Route 24 toward Hachigamine and get off at Katakura. The shrine is approximately a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
Sakurai Shrine combines a long religious history, valuable cultural properties, traditional architecture, and a peaceful natural setting. Its National Treasure-designated Worship Hall provides a rare opportunity to see an important example of historic Japanese shrine architecture.
Visitors can explore the shrine grounds, learn about the three deities enshrined here, and experience traditions that have continued for centuries. If visiting in autumn, the Uegamiya no Koodori performed during the Autumn Festival offers a particularly distinctive glimpse into the traditional culture of the Sakai area.