Ryuoga-fuchi & Horikoshi Shrine (Uda City, Nara Prefecture)

Horikoshi Shrine, located to the west of Ryuoga-fuchi, is a rare shrine nationwide where a stone housed in a barrel within the main sanctuary is enshrined as the object of worship. The enshrined deity is Toyotama-hime-no-mikoto, known as the sea god and dragon god, and Ryuoga-fuchi itself is considered a pond inhabited by a dragon god. It has protected the region as a center for dragon god worship and rain prayers. Legend has it that in ancient times, during droughts, farmers would gather, hold torches, and chant "Grant us rain" while circling Ryuoga-fuchi in a rain-praying ritual... Nowadays, a walking path has been built around the pond, allowing visitors to stroll. Ryuoga-fuchi is a scenic spot known for its "water mirror" effect, reflecting the surrounding forest like a mirror. They say you can take stunning photos if you visit on a clear morning. I went around 3 PM, but the forest was still beautifully reflected on the water's surface. It was a truly wonderful Ryuoga-fuchi.