Ushio shinmeigu

Shinmei Shrine, located in Ushio, Akashina District, Azumino City, is believed to have been founded during the Heian to Kamakura periods when this area became a mikuriya (sacred territory) of Ise Shrine.
The shrine has a deep connection with Shinmei Shrine in Omi Village, and it is possible that the Shio area was part of the mikuriya of Omi Shinmei Shrine.

The shrine is located on the eastern mountain side of Route 19, with a stone Shinmei torii at the entrance.
Behind the torii, the mountain slope continues, with the shrine buildings located on the left.
In front is the Kagura Hall, and the main worship hall (haiden) features a large gabled roof with chigi and katsuogi, surrounded by smaller auxiliary shrines.

The main hall (honden) behind the worship hall is a raised-floor Shinmei-zukuri style.
The floor is supported by 14 pillars, with the outer 10 pillars set on a foundation stone, while the central 4 pillars rest directly on stones.
The hall features one ridgepole column on each side, chigi, and six katsuogi, all characteristic of the Shinmei-zukuri style.
After being destroyed by fire in 1688, the hall was rebuilt in 1771 by Oguro Wada Shichi from Izumosaki, Echigo, and has been regularly maintained every 10 to 20 years following the style of Ise Shrine's periodic rebuilding.