Kashihara Jingu Shrine — Mythical First Emperor's Shrine

Kashihara Jingu (橿原神宮) is a large Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor according to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki chronicles. Mythology places Jimmu's accession in 660 BC at this location, establishing the imperial line. The current shrine was built in 1889 during the Meiji Period's nationalist movement to strengthen imperial authority. The shrine occupies a vast forested precinct (50 hectares) with gravel courtyards, towering cypress trees, and simple but massive shrine buildings showcasing Shinto architectural purity.

The shrine's Inner Worship Hall (relocated from Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1890) uses unpainted hinoki cypress — the wood's natural grain and fragrance create an atmosphere of austere elegance. The shrine is particularly busy during New Year (hatsumode, 1.3 million visitors) and National Foundation Day (February 11, celebrating Jimmu's mythical accession). The surrounding Kashihara Forest contains walking paths, seasonal flowers, and quiet sub-shrines. The shrine's historical significance (as symbol of imperial legitimacy) and physical scale make it one of Nara's most important Shinto sites.