Kibitsuhiko Shrine

Kibitsuhiko Shrine is the second of the two great shrines dedicated to Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto, the legendary prince whose defeat of the demon Ura gave rise to the Momotaro folktale, and it stands at the foot of Mt. Nakayama on the eastern side of the ancient Kibi plain. Where its more famous sibling, Kibitsu Shrine, sits on the mountain's western flank, Kibitsuhiko Shrine guards the eastern approach, and together they anchor the sacred landscape of old Kibi province.

The shrine has an ancient pedigree, serving historically as the ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the Bizen province that emerged when the great Kibi region was divided. Its precincts are calm and dignified, shaded by old trees and approached through a long avenue lined with stone lanterns - the shrine is known for possessing one of the largest stone lanterns in Japan, an imposing monument that gives a sense of the devotion lavished here over the centuries. The main hall and worship halls, rebuilt in the Edo period, sit against the wooded slope of the mountain in a serene setting.

A visit connects you to the deep mythology of the region. The prince enshrined here is credited not only with quelling the demon but with bringing order and civilisation to the Kibi lands, and the shrine remains an active place of worship with a full calendar of festivals. Its association with the Momotaro legend - the peach-boy hero who conquers the ogres of a distant island - makes it a meaningful stop for anyone drawn to Japanese folklore, and it complements Kibitsu Shrine, the great tombs and the other legend-linked sites nearby.

Practically, Kibitsuhiko Shrine is also the eastern gateway to one of the best cycling experiences in western Japan. The flat, roughly 17-kilometre Kibi Plain cycling route begins near here at Bizen-Ichinomiya Station and rolls gently through rice fields and villages past Kibitsu Shrine, the towering five-storey pagoda of Bitchu Kokubunji, ancient burial mounds and quiet countryside before reaching Soja. Renting a bicycle at the station and setting off from the shrine is a wonderful way to experience the layered history of the plain in a single relaxed day.

The shrine's grounds are free, largely flat near the entrance and easy to visit, though the approach and some areas involve steps and gravel. A visit takes around 45 minutes on its own, but most travellers use it as the start or end of the cycling loop. It is exceptionally convenient, sitting just a few minutes' walk from Bizen-Ichinomiya Station on the JR Kibi Line, a short ride from Okayama.

Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for both the shrine and the ride. Quieter and less visited than Kibitsu Shrine, Kibitsuhiko Shrine rewards those who seek it out with atmosphere, legend and a perfect launch point into the timeless Kibi countryside.