Matsunoo Taisha

Matsunoo-taisha
松尾大社
The haiden, at Matsunoo-taisha
Religion
AffiliationShinto
DeityŌyamakui
Nakatsuhime
Tsukuyomi
Location
Location3 Arashiyamamiya-chō, Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
616-0024
Shown within Japan
Coordinates35°00′01″N 135°41′07″E / 35.00028°N 135.68528°E / 35.00028; 135.68528
Architecture
Established701
Website
www.matsunoo.or.jp
Glossary of Shinto

Matsunoo Taisha (松尾大社; Matsunoo Taisha/ Matsuo Taisha), formerly Matsunoo Jinja (松尾神社), is a Shinto shrine located at the far western end of Shijō Street, approximately 1.3 kilometers south of the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. It is home to a spring at the base of the mountain, Arashiyama, that is believed to be blessed.

It is said that during the move of the capital from Nara to Kyoto, a noble saw a turtle bathing under the spring's waterfall and created a shrine there. It is one of the oldest shrines in the Kyoto area, with its origins dating back to 700. The restorative properties of the spring draw many local sake and miso companies to the shrine to pray that their products will be blessed.

The shrine also serves gold leaf sake (金箔神酒, kinpaku miki) on New Year's Day for hatsumōde.