It is said that Tado Taisha was founded in the Age of Emperor YURYAKU in the middle of the fifth century. The main deity of Tado Taisha Shrine is "Amatsuhikone-no Mikoto", the third son of "Amaterasu Omikami". In ancient times, Mt Tado was the sacred object.

Tado Taisha Shrine is located approximately 1.7 km west of Tado Station on the Yoro Railway Yoro Line. Just before Tado Taisha Shrine, Tado Kannon Hall is located. The temple was built in 763. This indicates that the area has been inhabited since ancient times.

As the street, which you will walk from Tado Station, bends south, you will see a torii gate and, beyond that, a thatched-roof building.

The approach to Tado Taisha Shrine runs north and south, but for some reason the torii gate faces east and west.

Further ahead, Tado Taisha Shrine will be on your right. Stone steps continue up to the top of the high ground. You will see the first "Torii" Gate on the high ground. A dirt path continues to the top of the high ground on the left side of the stone steps.

The "Ageuma" Shinto ritual is held on this slope every May. At the end of the steep slope, there is a wall about 2m high.

Several young boys ride their horses on horseback, attempting to climb over the wall. The number of horses that make it over the wall is used to predict whether the harvest will be good or bad for that year.

On the high ground at the top of the stone steps, the sacred horse stable is located.

These days, most shrines use a horse statue as a sacred horse, but here they use the real sacred horse. A horse with such fine white fur is sure to be a rare sight.

The main shrine, which is the main hall of Tado Taisha Shrine, is located at the back of the shrine grounds. I passed through the second "Torii" Gate next to the Kagura Hall and headed deeper into the shrine grounds.

Beyond the "Hakubasha" stable, there is the third "Torii" Gate at the top of stone steps. The "Obukimon" Gate can be seen through the "Torii" Gate (Shown in the below left picture).

Finally, I passed through the "Obukimon" Gate, shown in the above right picture. Beyond the "Obukimon" Gate is the sacred grounds of the "Hongu" of the Tado Taisha Shrine.

Crossing the clear stream from "Obukimon" Gate, the "Hongu" Shrine is located right in front of you. The "Hongu" Shrine's enshrined deity, "Amatsuhikone no Mikoto", was born to "Amaterasu Omikami" and "Susanoo no Mikoto".

To the right of the "Hongu" Shrine, the "Betsumiya" Shrine is located. The enshrined deity of the "Betsumiya" Shrine is "Amenohikone no Mikoto", the son of "Amatsuhikone no Mikoto".

Just before crossing the clear stream, there is a "Shinmei" Shrine. "Amaterasu Omikami" is enshrined here.

The mountains and trees surrounding the "Hongu" Shrine are enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.

Tado Taisha Shrine has a rich and a distinguished history. Many worshippers gather here for the "Ageuma" Shinto ritual. However, the ritual has been criticized from the perspective of animal welfare, as horses have broken bones, when they were unable to climb over the wall and had to be euthanized.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a "Nozomi" on the Tokaido Shinkansen, to Nagoya. Change to a local train on the "Kansai Main Line" or Kintetsu Line to Kuwana. Change to the Yoro Railroad and get off the train at Tado. Tado Taisha Shrine is approximately 1.7 kilo-meter to the west from Tado Station. It will take you approximately twenty-five minutes on foot.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Rokkaen in Kuwana
Ruins of Kuwana Castle
Mt. Gozaisho
Ruins of Kameyame Castle
Kameyama Castle Town
Seki Post Town