Saka Jinja Shrine

Saka Jinja sits atop a hill in Shimane and commemorates the mythological origins of sake brewing, where gods reportedly gathered, built a kitchen, and brewed sake for a multi-day feast. The shrine's name derives directly from sake, and sake is still brewed on the premises. Every October 13, brewers from across Shimane Prefecture gather for the Doburoku Festival, drinking unrefined sake brewed by the head priest. The main hall is raised cedar in the taisha-zukuri style, with a devotional sake barrel among the altar offerings, unusual among Shinto shrines. A sub-shrine on the grounds is dedicated to the god of contagious diseases.