Omi Jingu Shrine – Honoring Time and the Home of Competitive Karuta

【Highlights】
・A striking vermilion two-story gate and Omi-style main hall set within serene, forested grounds.
・Emperor Tenji’s water clock and sundial, along with the Clock Museum Treasure Hall.
・A sacred site for competitive karuta, where the Meijin and Queen title matches are held.
・Traditional events connected to Emperor Tenji, including the Rokoku Festival and Yabusame Shinji.

【History and Culture】
Omi Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji, the 38th emperor of Japan, who established the ancient capital of Otsu-kyo. The shrine was founded in 1940 near the former site of Otsu-kyo as part of a project commemorating the 2,600th Imperial Year.

Emperor Tenji is known for creating Japan’s first water clock, called a “rokoku,” and for introducing the concept of timekeeping to Japan. For this reason, Omi Jingu is revered as a shrine dedicated to the “ancestor god of time,” with a water clock, sundial, and the Clock Museum Treasure Hall located within its grounds.

The shrine is also closely associated with the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, as its opening poem is attributed to Emperor Tenji. Today, Omi Jingu is cherished as a sacred site for Hyakunin Isshu and competitive karuta, and serves as the venue for the prestigious Meijin and Queen title matches.

【Main Events】
・January: Competitive Karuta Meijin and Queen Title Matches, Karuta Festival
・April: Annual Grand Festival
・June: Rokoku Festival, Yabusame Shinji (Horseback Archery Ritual)