A legendary sword existed here
石上神宮
This is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. The grounds are home to free-roaming, beautiful chickens that are held to be messengers of the deities. The shrine venerates the location where the legendary sword "Futsunomitama no Tsurugi" - said to have been used by an emperor to unify Japan - is believed to be. For many years, it did not have an inner shrine. An excavation was carried out in 1874, and uncovered an actual sword. The shrine where the sword currently rests is now treated as the inner shrine.
It has been said that Emperor Shirakawa (reign 1073-1087) donated a building that was located in the imperial palace in Kyoto as Isonokami Jingu Shrine. It is the oldest existing worship hall of its type.
This worship hall was relocated from Uchiyamaeikyuji Temple in 1914. It is precious as a relic of now-lost Uchiyamaeikyuji Temple, and is designated as a national treasure.
Total length 74.8 cm. One of a few legendary swords that actually exists. It is mentioned in Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) from the 8th century, and is assumed to have been a gift from Paekche (an ancient Korean Kingdom). It is believed to have been used as a symbolic, ceremonial item and not as a weapon.
内山永久寺跡
Founded in the 12th century, this temple received special treatment second only to Todaiji, Kofukuji and Horyuji Temple. It was called the “Nikko Toshogu Shrine of the West” and drew many worshipers. In the latter half of the 19th century the temple was abandoned due to the Haibutsu Kishaku movement (“abolish Buddhism and destroy Shākyamuni”, an ideology of destroying Buddhist temples, images, and texts, and forcing monks to return to secular life during the Meiji Restoration period). Now it is just a field, with only a lake and stone monument indicating what it used to be. Will be struck by the Buddhist teaching that "All worldly things are transitory" from what remains of the temple.
