Hiko-jinja Shrine, located in Yawata City, was founded in 1915 by a pioneer of aviation, Chuhachi Ninomiya. He achieved Japan’s first successful flight of a rubber-powered, crow-type model aircraft. “Hiko” of “Hiko-jinja Shrine” means “flight” in Japanese.
The shrine is dedicated to Nigihayahi-no-Mikoto, known as an ancient deity of the sky, victims of aviation accidents, great people who made significant contributions to the aviation industry, and more. For this reason, various people from home and abroad visit it to pray for safety in flight, successful development and invention, academic successes and passing exams, or other related blessings.
Hiko-jinja Shrine looks very different from other traditional shrines, with its architectural style reminiscent of ancient Greek buildings, and metal torii (a gate most commonly found at a Shinto shrine in Japan). You can also find a great metal propeller on display, and a cluster of small airplanes floating in a washbasin that visitors use to wash and purify their hands.
As the shrine was built on the site of Chuhachi Ninomiya's residence, a wealth of materials related to his researches and experiments are preserved here. They are displayed with donated things by various people. (A fee is required for admission to the museum.)
- Tel
- 075-982-2329
- Address
- 44 Yawata Doi, Yawata City, Kyoto
- Access
- 5 min. on foot southeast from Iwashimizu-hachimangu Station (Keihan Main Line)
- Business Hours
- 9:00am - 4:30pm
Museum: 9:00am - 4:00pm (last admission: 3:45pm)
Open year-round - Parking
- Free parking available (3 cars)
If the parking lot is full, or your car height is 2 meters or more, please use a nearby coin-operated parking lot at a fee.
