Kibitsu Jinja is a shrine just outside of Okayama city that is considered one of the main shrines in the prefecture. The shrine does not have an official date of founding, but it’s believed that it was first built some time in the 9th century. The shrine was built for Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto, a mythological figure who is said to have been the origin of the famed Momotaro legend, yet another fable that is attributed to Okayama.

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 8.

Kibitsu Jinja is a lovely shrine complex just outside of Okayama city about 20 minutes by car, and 30 by train. The shrine is known for its main hall which has a unique double-gable roof. The complex is home to a variety of smaller shrines to local deities as well as seasonal flowers like cherry and hydrangeas.

The main appeal for those interested would be the legend I mentioned above. Kibitsuhiko was a mythological prince who left the imperial palace to the Bicchu area (modern Western Okayama) to face a four meter tall man-eating ogre named Ura. Ura was a smart ogre and lived in a mountain castle called Kino-jô (whose ruins can be visited today). Kibitsuhiko set camp where the shrine stands today and fired his arrows at the castle. All fell short save one which struck Ura in the eye. Ura tried to flee by turning into a red pheasant, but Kibitsuhiko turned into a hawk and pursued. When flight didn’t work, Ura changed himself into a carp and hid in the stream, but Kibitsuhiko changed to a cormorant and eat Ura, defeating the ogre. The story similarities between Kibitsuhiko and Momotaro are why this story may have inspired the latter.

The covered walkway is well known for following the curve of the terrain without stairs. It feels like a walking roller coaster .