Mishima Taisha Shrine

The magnificent shrine pavilions were reconstructed in 1866, featuring fine zelkova wood textures. Despite some repairs due to earthquakes, the buildings have been preserved in their original state for around 150 years. The three buildings, the shaden (main hall), heiden (offering hall) and haiden (worship hall), stand together with the shaden being one of the largest in Japan at 16 meters high. Various aspects of the buildings are skillfully decorated and covered entirely in intricate engravings. The pavilions have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by the government for their cultural and artistic values.

From August 15 to 17 annually, Mishima Taisha holds its most important festival of the year, the Mishima Taisha Reisai Festival. During the three-day period, the shrine comes alive with numerous ceremonies including the hand-held fireworks ritual and yabusame horseback archery. Concurrently, the city of Mishima also hosts the Mishima Summer Festival, attracting a total of 500,000 visitors in the three-day period and immersing the city in a passion of celebration as various events are held across town.