Ritto: Shrine Culture, History and Landscape

Ritto can be explored from different perspectives: at Ōtsuki Taisha, shrine culture and an annual dance take centre stage; throughout the municipality, historic sites are linked with hiking trails, a waterfall and excursion opportunities. When planning a trip, both fixed festival dates and seasonal bus services and approximate walking times are important.

Shrine Culture and Festivals

The main building of Ōtsuki Taisha is a single-bay structure in the Nagare-zukuri style from the Muromachi period and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Every year on May 5, the Hanagasa Dance is performed there: children dance in colourful costumes and large flower hats to the accompaniment of flutes and drums. The dance is part of the Ōmi-Konan-Sanyare dances, which are inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The date provides a specific seasonal point of reference if you would like to combine your stay with a traditional festival.

Other customs also form part of the municipality’s cultural history. At the festival on May 3, Narezushi made from small fish is offered as a Shinto offering at Kusabira Shrine; the tradition is said to date back to ancient times. A Sumo festival is still held at Daihō Shrine. According to tradition, a dispute over water rights was once settled there, after which children were made to wrestle sumo. If you are planning a visit around a festival, it is advisable to check the exact dates in advance.

Historic Sites in the Municipality

The Komazaka Stone Buddha is located on the site of the former Komazaka Temple in the Kinshō Mountains. The figure is carved into a granite face measuring approximately 6 × 4.5 metres, is thought to date from the Nara period, and is designated a National Historic Site of Japan. Its precise dimensions and attributed date of origin make the site especially interesting for anyone looking for traces of older history along their routes.

Ōsumi-ke offers a different historical perspective. During the Edo period, the residence served as the main branch of “Zesaiya,” which sold the medicine Wachūsan. It also served as a way station between the post stations of Kusatsu and Ishibe, where court nobles and daimyō, among others, would rest. At the Old Wachūsan Honpo, the entire residence is designated a National Historic Site of Japan. The shop, production facility, kitchen, living quarters, entrance area, estate, main gate and retirement residence are also designated Important Cultural Properties. The garden was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty in 2001.

The Rittō History and Folklore Museum holds exhibitions and associated programmes to preserve Rittō’s historical cultural heritage. It complements the historic sites with a place focused on sharing and preserving this heritage.

Hiking Trails, Mountains and Waterfall

Within the municipality, the Kinshōzan hiking trail leads to historic sites such as Kinshōji and the Komazaka Stone Buddha. Mountains whose names refer to the zodiac include Ryūōzan and Keikanzan. The naturally formed rock formations Mimi-iwa and Tengu-iwa are also along the trail, offering wide-ranging views. Those interested in both landscape features and the area’s history will find both reflected in the theme of this route.

Kupon Waterfall plunges down in three cascades and is just over 20 metres high in total. A hiking trail passes Ōno Shrine, Kupon Waterfall and Naki Jizō before reaching the Konze-no-Sato Rittō roadside station; this section is listed as taking about 80 minutes on foot. From the roadside station, it takes about 45 minutes to walk to Kinshōji and about 80 minutes to the forecourt of the Batō Kannon Hall. These walking times are approximate and help you plan the different sections of the route into your day.

Getting There and Choosing the Right Time to Visit

The Konze Megurichan bus runs every year in spring and autumn on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It departs three times a day from the south exit of Tehara Station; the journey takes about 20 minutes to Konze-no-Sato Rittō roadside station and about 30 minutes to Kinshōji. This means there are two different travel times to Kinshōji to consider: about 30 minutes by seasonal bus from Tehara or about 45 minutes on foot from Konze-no-Sato. Check the seasonal timetable before your trip if you would like to plan your outings around it.

Agriculture, Food and Outdoor Activities

Agurinosato Rittō roadside station promotes interaction between agriculture and consumers and offers facilities for processing, sales and hands-on experiences. Visitors can try making udon, soba and bread themselves. The roadside station also has a restaurant that uses fresh agricultural produce and processed products as ingredients. Confirm the availability of the activities and restaurant operations before making your plans.

Forest Adventure Rittō is a forest outdoor park with adventure and canopy courses. In addition to general use, it also offers programmes for educational travel groups, team building and corporate training. As operations and opening hours may vary, check the current options directly with the facility.

If you are looking for a holiday rental, it may help to first decide on your preferred focus and travel dates: the dance on May 5, the seasonal bus service in spring or autumn, the hiking trails, or one of the hands-on experiences. This makes it easier to plan the right days for culture, landscape and excursions.

Discover more destinations: Ōtsu, Takashima, Moriyama, Ōmihachiman, Kusatsu, Konan, Kōka, Nagahama

For the main travel overview: Shiga Prefecture.