782 Toriino, Kōka-chō, Kōka City, Shiga Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
Ōtori Shrine in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is accessible via a 20-minute walk from Koka Station on the JR Kusatsu Line or a 15-20 minute drive from various expressway interchanges. This serene shrine features a striking vermilion-lacquered two-story gate reminiscent of Kyoto and is known for its annual Ohara Gion festival in July, offering blessings for good health and protection from misfortune. Visitors can also admire the beautiful flower arrangements in the water basin (Hana-Chōzu). The shrine provides ample parking and a peaceful atmosphere for a relaxed visit, especially lovely during the fresh greenery season when the contrast with the red gate is stunning.