Niukanshobu Shrine

Located in Kudoyama-chō, the northern area of Wakayama prefecture, is Niukanshōbu Shrine. It is where Kōbō-Daishi enshrined the two local guardian deities, Niutsuhime and Takanomiko. This shrine has been designated as a heritage asset and forms part of “The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”. In addition, it is Wakayama prefecture’s eleventh pilgrimage destination where many visit during their Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage of thirty-three Buddhist temples. The three shrine buildings are designated as a nationally important cultural property. The richly colored wooden building consists of the architectural style known as the Ikkensha Kasuga-zukuri with Hiwadabuki (a roof thatching technique with cypress bark).
The biggest event, “Kanshōbu Festival”, takes place on the 4th Sunday in October. “Kanshōbu” means manor. At the climax of the festival, a mikoshi togyo parade (a Shinto ritual where a portable shrine carries the god) takes place with Ōasa (a wooden wand decorated with paper streamers) followed by Karabitsu (a Chinese-style chest), Takahari (lantern on a long pole), Jitsu-ki (a flag symbolizing the sun with gold embroidery), and Getsu-ki (a flag symbolizing the moon with silver embroidery). It is truly a sight not to be missed.