An ancient shrine of Iyo Province long venerated as the chief tutelary shrine of Saijo City. The Saijo Festival held every October is celebrated nationwide for its spectacular danjiri floats: dozens of elaborately carved floats parade through the streets, and the midnight crossing of the river known as 'kawa-iri' is a breathtaking spectacle. Enshrining Kamuyamatoiwarehiko no Mikoto (Emperor Jimmu)…

The exact founding date of Saijo Jinja is unknown, but it is said to have been enshrined in this area since ancient times as one of the old shrines of Iyo Province. The principal deity is Kamuyamatoiwarehiko no Mikoto (Emperor Jimmu), the legendary founder of Japan, and the shrine has long been an o…