Sogo Reido Sanctuary

Sogo Reido, otherwise known as Toshoji Temple, is an ancient temple believed to have been constructed by general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (758–811) in the late 700s to memorialize those killed during war. Its popular name changed about 360 years ago when it enshrined Sakura Sogoro (1605–1653), also known as Sogo-sama, a rural headman who stood up to the shogun (military dictator and sovereign of Japan) of the time to save rural citizens from poverty and famine. Today, Sogo Reido is known as a viewing spot of beautiful hydrangeas, as well as for the Otaiya Festival, which is a memorial service for Sakura Sogoro.