⛩️ Himuro Shrine (Tenri City, Nara Prefecture)

Himuro Shrine is located in Fukuzumi-cho, Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, known as the "birthplace of Japanese Himuro," and it preserves over 20 ruins of ice houses. This area has had a deep connection with the imperial family since ancient times, and it is said that the shrine was established about 1,600 years ago (around 414 AD), making it the head shrine of all Himuro shrines in the country. In ancient times, ice was stored in ice houses during winter and offered to the imperial court in summer. As a result, the "Ice Offering Festival" is still held every year on July 1st, featuring performances of Kagura in the worship hall and the offering of a large ice pillar. Additionally, there is a restored ice house nearby that preserves ice blocks in the same environment as in the past. The ice blocks offered in February are taken out from the ice house during the "Fukuzumi Ice Festival," held on Marine Day (the third Monday in July), and transported by local children using hand carts to Fukuzumi Elementary School. The regular festival held on the second Sunday of October is also quite famous. During the "Shinkō Togyo," when the portable shrine parades back to the rear of Himuro Shrine, the streets are filled with large crowds of tourists, creating a lively atmosphere.

It is said to have been established over 1600 years ago and is the main shrine of the Ice Room deity. In ancient times, ice blocks made in winter were stored in the Ice Room and offered to the imperial court in summer. Ice pillars are dedicated during the Ice Offering Festival in July. The autumn regular festival featuring the divine procession is also quite famous.