Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine

In the era of Emperor Nintoku, around 377 AD, a malevolent tribe known as the Ryomen Sukuna defied the emperor and wreaked havoc in the mountains of Hida, threatening the local populace. Naniwa no Nekotake Furukuma no Mikoto received an imperial decree to subdue them and led an official army into Hida (according to the Nihon Shoki, the Chronicles of Japan). It is said that the origin of the shrine dates back to when Furukuma prayed for victory in battle here, enshrining the revered spirit of the then previous emperor, Emperor Ōjin.

Later, in the era of Emperor Shōmu (8th century), the Hachiman faith flourished throughout Japan. It is said that hundreds of cherry trees blossomed in competition with one another in the shrine's precincts, which were increasingly being improved.

During the Daiei era (Muromachi period, 16th century), the shrine was transferred from Ishiyama Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto, but the precincts were temporarily devastated during a period of war.

In 1623, the lord of Takayama, Kanamori Shigeyori, enshrined a divine statue found from Emanogawa River as Hachiman, revived the shrine, and donated sacred lands. Thereafter, the northern part of Takayama was designated as the parish, and officials were dispatched to manage the rituals during the annual festival (Bugyo Festival).

When Hida became a territory directly controlled by the shogunate, the local officials and the parishioners alike venerated the shrine deeply, inherited the Bugyo Festival, and improved the precincts.

During a period when Shinto and Buddhism were intermixed, the temple Chokyuji served as the bettō (managing temple) for Hachimangu. However, it separated from the shrine due to the Meiji government's policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism. In the 8th year of Meiji, the shrine suffered greatly from a large fire in Takayama, but the precincts were restored by the 33rd year of Meiji.

After World War II, the annual festival, formerly known as the Bugyo Festival and now known as the Autumn Takayama Festival, became known nationwide, leading to a surge in visitors.