Ayabe Shrine

In July 1189, Ayabe Shirodayu Michitoshi, prayed for victory in the Battle of Ōshū. After the battle had ended, he was given land as a reward.^[1] He then donated some of the land to have a shrine built on it.^[2] Ayabe Shrine was then built in 1205,^[3][1] at the foot of what was once Ayabe Castle.^[4][5]

The shrine is also known as the oldest meteorological observatory in Japan.^[6] On July 15 every year, flags are raised on trees at the shrine. After five days, the location of the flag is used to predict future weather events.^[1] A festival is held every year with various Shinto rituals and sumo wrestling to mark the event.^[1][7][8]