Said to have been created by Prince Shotoku in the year 605, “Kyorinbo Temple” got its name from being a place of teaching (“kyo”) surrounded by forest (“rin”).

A horse racing ceremony held at a shrine with a long connection to horses.

Take the long, 808 stone steps up from the lakeside and you will see the roofs of the temple buildings move into perfect alignment as you climb.

A veritable forest of trees grows on the vast, 44,000 square meter shrine grounds.

Okishima island is located in the offing of Lake Biwa, approximately 1.

Long ago, the vicinity of Kamo-jinja Shrine was used for horse racing and as a ranch for raising farm horses, and the shrine itself was established in 736 in order to protect the region.