Omiyajinja Shrine

Omiya Shrine is one of three shrines that hold the Tawara Festival, and serves as the tutelary shrine of the Araki and Gonokuchi districts. It stands at the mouth of the Araki Tennodani valley, and a trail up Mount Omine starts from the rear approach. In the grounds is a hokyointo pagoda designated a town cultural property, along with other traces of the era when Buddhism and Shinto were practised together, such as a Monju stone stele. The cherry trees along the approach are lit at night while in bloom, and in July the shrine holds the passage through the reed ring and the summer purification rite. Amazake is served to those making their first visit of the year on New Year's Eve.