The Sarumaru-jinja shrine is dedicated to Sarumaru Dayu, who was a renowned waka (Japanese poem) poet. He is even featured in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (an anthology of one hundred waka) with the famous poem as follows: “Through mountain depths, where crimson leaves scattered, a buck's cry longing for a doe echoes. Hearing this, I feel most keenly the sorrow of autumn.” As the shrine's principal deity, Sarumaru Dayu is now widely worshipped for removing bumps from the body, as well as offering protection against cancer.
The shrine's monthly festival is held on the 13th of each month, with the grand spring festival on April 13th, and the grand fall festival on September 13th. Also, there is the fire ritual on June 13th and December 13th.
The forest path from the first torii (a traditional gate of a Japanese shrine) to the main hall is ablaze with the vibrant colors of Japanese maple leaves from November to December. You can experience the scenery that inspired that poem.
- Tel
- Day: 0774-88-3782
Night: 0774-88-2362
- Address
- 44 Zenjoji Tsumakitani, Ujitawara Town, Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto
- Access
- From Uji Station (Keihan Uji Line), Uji Station (JR Nara Line), or Shin-Tanabe Station (Kintetsu Kyoto Line):
-Take a taxi for about 25 minutes
-Take Kyoto Keihan Bus (bound for Ichu Mae, Ryokuenzaka, or Kogyodanchi), get off at Ichu Mae, and walk for about 50 minutes (from Ichu Mae, extra buses for the shrine are available on the 13th of every month)
By car:
-From Nango Interchange on the Keiji By-pass (from Nagoya) or Kasatori Interchange on the Keiji By-pass (from Osaka), head toward the Zenjoji area
-From National Route 307, take Prefectural Road 783 toward Otsu
-From Shiga, take Prefectural Road 783 and go south
- Business Hours
- 6:30am - 4:30pm (Paid prayer services: 9:00am - 3:00pm)
No regular closing days
- Parking
- Available (30 cars)
