village soldier inari

Kojin Shrine

It is one of the places where the original scenery typical of Tono remains. There is a legend that Gongen-sama, who is enshrined in a thatched-roofed shrine nestled in a rice field, bit off one ear of a Gongen-sama from another land, and is also known as Kojin, the fierce god. It is a soothing landscape that you can see reflected in the rice fields in spring, green rice fields in summer, golden ears of rice in autumn, and pure white snow in winter.

According to folklore

Objects related to folk tales and fairy tales are installed all along the street from JR Tono Station Square to Municipal Nabekura Park, pleasing the eyes of people walking by. Typical objects include bronze statues of the main characters of Tono Monogatari, such as the kappa, the Yuki-onna, and the Celestial Child, as well as the main characters of fairy tales, such as Momotaro, Thumbelina, and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Kagura (Tono City)

It has been passed down through the lineages of Shinto Kagura and Yamabushi Kagura. Shinjin-ha has a slow tempo and grace, while Yamabushi-ha has a fast and lively feel. Kagura is said to have originated from rituals to pray for the souls of gods, and its performance at festivals is a vestige of ancient beliefs.