Mishima Shrine: A Spiritual Heart in Yusuhara

Mishima Shrine, located in the heart of Yusuhara, Kochi Prefecture, offers a peaceful retreat steeped in history and natural beauty. The shrine is believed to have been established by Tsunetaka Tsuno, who enshrined Mishima Daimyojin from the Izu Peninsula and later Iyo Mishima Daimyojin from Ehime Prefecture. The shrine is easily identifiable by the Miyuki Bridge, a distinctive covered wooden bridge that crosses the Yusuhara River, leading to the shrine's entrance. The clear waters flowing beneath the bridge add to the serene atmosphere, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate the surroundings. Once inside the shrine grounds, visitors can admire the intricate carvings of dragons, clouds, and birds that adorn the main hall. An impressive old pine tree, estimated to be over 400 years old, stands within the precinct, adding to the shrine's sense of history and grandeur. Mishima Shrine is also known for its Tsunoyama Kagura, a traditional Shinto music and dance performed during the autumn Jinsai festival to give thanks for the year's harvest. This cultural asset, with a history almost as long as the shrine itself, has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan. History buffs can also find a section of the Dappan no Michi trail next to the shrine, which was used by samurai revolutionary Ryoma Sakamoto to escape from the Tosa domain.