By ando 
Basic Information
Location: 47 Noborioji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Main kami enshrined: Tsuge no Inagi Oyamanushi no Mikoto, Osasagi no Mikoto (Emperor Nintoku), Nukata no Onakatsuhiko no Mikoto
Access: Approximately a 15-minute walk from JR or Kintetsu Nara Station, or immediately after alighting at the “Himuro Jinja / National Museum” stop on the city loop bus.
The Legend and History of “Ice” Spanning 1300 Years
Himuro Jinja, located in a corner of Nara Park and very close to Todai-ji Temple, is a very rare jinja nationwide that enshrines the “kami of ice”. Its history began in Wado 3 (710 AD), when by imperial decree of Empress Genmei, an “himuro” (icehouse) was built at the foot of Mt. Kasuga to store ice, and its guardian kami was enshrined there.
According to legend, one of the enshrined kami, Tsuge no Inagi Oyamanushi no Mikoto, discovered an ice storage facility (himuro) in the mountains where ice would not melt even in summer. His presentation of this ice-making and preservation technology to Emperor Nintoku is said to be the origin of refrigeration technology in Japan. In the past, ice produced here was transported to the imperial palace in Heijo-kyo and highly valued by aristocrats as a summer cooling luxury.
Mystery and Untold Stories: Fish Swimming in Ice? The Kempysai Festival
The Kempysai (Ice Offering Festival), held annually on May 1st, is known as a unique festival that draws people from the ice-making and refrigeration industries nationwide. The main highlight of this festival is the giant ice pillar offered before the kami.
Surprisingly, whole “tai” (sea bream) and “koi” (carp) are encased within this ice pillar, appearing as if they are swimming. Companies possessing the technology to create and offer these “fish-in-ice pillars” are very limited today, and their beauty and impact overwhelm visitors.
Unique Experiences Only Available at the Jinja of Ice
If you visit Himuro Jinja, you absolutely must try these special worship methods that allow you to feel closer to the kami of ice.
Ice Omikuji: While appearing as a plain white paper, when placed on a large block of ice within the grounds, characters gradually emerge due to the cold. The moment a message from the kami of ice appears is truly mystical.
Shaved Ice Offering: If you request an “ice offering” at the shrine office, you can surprisingly offer “kakigori” (shaved ice) to the kami. After offering it, you can then enjoy it yourself as an “osagari” (offering shared after being blessed), making for a perfect cool worship experience in summer.
Anime “Beyond the Boundary” Pilgrimage Site
Himuro Jinja is also famous as a pilgrimage site for the popular anime “Beyond the Boundary,” produced by Kyoto Animation. It served as the model for the jinja run by the “Nase family” in the story, with its Shikyakumon gate and haiden (worship hall) faithfully recreated.
In particular, since it is depicted as a scene from the daily lives of the heroine Mirai Kuriyama and protagonist Akihito Kanbara, many pilgrims still visit it as “a place where they can immerse themselves in the world of the story.”
Nara’s Earliest Blooming Weeping Cherry Blossoms
Beyond its history and anime connection, the natural beauty here is also exceptional. The weeping cherry blossoms within the grounds are known for blooming earliest in Nara City, affectionately called “the cherry blossoms that announce spring in Nara.” The reflection of the cherry blossoms in Kagami-ike Pond creates a pure and fantastical sight, fitting for a place where the kami of ice resides.
Himuro Jinja, a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park, has brought “coolness” across 1300 years. We invite you to experience the mysterious power bestowed by the kami of ice firsthand.
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