Aichi, Japan Shrine Visit Report 2026 Kota Town No.3 Oiike Benzaiten

May 31, 2026

Oiike Benzaiten in Kota, Japan — A Water Shrine, Floating Hall, and Stone Lanterns beside a Large Man-Made Pond

On May 22, 2026, I visited Oiike Benzaiten in Kota Town, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. I found this shrine on the way to Mikawa Sarutahiko Shrine.
Oiike Pond is a large man-made pond in the Okusa area of Kota. The Kota Tourism Association introduces it as “the place where Benzaiten is enshrined,” and describes it as one of the largest man-made ponds in Aichi Prefecture, covering about 9 hectares.
At the pond, Benzaiten is enshrined beside the water. The water surface, red torii gate, floating hall, stone lanterns, and green hills come together to form a waterside landscape.
This article records Oiike Benzaiten as a place where water faith, an agricultural reservoir, and the waterside scenery of Kota meet.

Stone torii gate and stone lanterns of Oiike Benzaiten seen on the way to Sarutahiko Shrine — This photo shows the stone lanterns and stone torii gate from the front. Large stone lanterns stand on both sides, with the stone torii gate behind them. Since they suddenly appeared beside the road, I stopped the car, took photos, and explored the area.

Red floating hall of Oiike Benzaiten seen through the trees — This photo shows the red floating hall seen through the trees. The pond water and red shrine building are only partly visible beyond the branches and leaves. I found this shrine on the way to Mikawa Sarutahiko Shrine, so I had not studied it in advance.

Kasuga Stone lantern beside Oiike Pond in Kota, Japan — This is a Kasuga Stone Lantern beside Oiike Pond. It stands close to the road and near the water, with the pond surface and trees behind it. On the way toward the waterside approach, the stonework marks the sacred atmosphere around the pond.

Old Kasuga stone lantern beside Oiike Pond in Kota, Japan — These old Kasuga Stone Lanterns stand beside the pond. Moss and weathering can be seen on the stone surface, and the lanterns blend into the trees and waterside atmosphere. Seeing the two Kasuga-style stone lanterns side by side, without any advance research, was the moment I felt there must be something here.

Entrance of Oiike Benzaiten in Kota, Japan — A parking area was prepared here, which confirmed that this was indeed a sacred place. I parked the car and began my visit. This is the torii gate of Oiike Benzaiten beside the road. Red and white banners stand around the gate, and the approach continues down toward the water. On the right, a tree-lined path continues between the pond and the forest.

Stone torii gate of Oiike Benzaiten in Kota, Japan — This stone torii gate stands on the way to Oiike Benzaiten. Beyond the gate, the pond and the red floating hall can be seen. As the entrance toward Benzaiten by the water, the stone torii stands quietly in place.

Red torii gate and offering box at Oiike Benzaiten in Kota, Japan — This photo shows the red torii gate and offering box of Oiike Benzaiten. Beyond the gate, Oiike Pond and the floating hall are visible. Stone pillars carved with donor names stand on both sides, shaping the place of prayer facing the water.

Wide view of Oiike Pond and the floating hall in Kota, Japan — This photo shows a wide view of Oiike Pond and the floating hall. The red floating hall stands beyond the water, with green hills and a transmission tower behind it. The scene shows clearly that Oiike is a large waterside place in the hills.

Red floating hall standing in Oiike Pond in Kota, Japan — This red floating hall stands beside the water of Oiike Pond. Deep green hills spread behind it, and the color of the building reflects on the water surface. As a Benzaiten shrine set within the pond, the water and the shrine building form one scene.

At a Glance

Name	Oiike Benzaiten
Area	Okusa area, Kota Town, Nukata District, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Benzaiten is enshrined at Oiike Pond.
Location of Oiike Pond	Okusa Tokorozamu, Kota Town, Nukata District, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Type of pond	Man-made pond and agricultural irrigation reservoir
Construction period	Fiscal 1943
Pond area	About 9 hectares
Faith	Benzaiten is enshrined beside the water.
Main features	Oiike Pond, Benzaiten, floating hall, water surface, stone torii gate, stone lanterns, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and the surrounding pond landscape
Focus of this article	This article records Oiike Benzaiten as a place of reservoir, water faith, and local landscape in Kota, Japan.

What Is Oiike Benzaiten?

Oiike Benzaiten is a Benzaiten shrine at Oiike Pond in Kota, Japan.

In Japan, Benzaiten has long been worshiped as a deity connected with water, music, performing arts, and good fortune. Benzaiten is often enshrined near ponds, rivers, islands, and waterside places. Oiike Benzaiten also stands close to water and faith.

Oiike Pond is introduced by the Kota Tourism Association as “the place where Benzaiten is enshrined.” The pond surface, floating hall, cherry blossoms in spring, and autumn leaves together form one of Kota’s waterside landscapes.

Oiike Pond Was Built as a Man-Made Pond in Fiscal 1943

Oiike Pond is described as an agricultural irrigation reservoir built in fiscal 1943. It covers about 9 hectares and is introduced as one of the largest man-made ponds in Aichi Prefecture.

Because of this, the current waterside setting where Benzaiten is enshrined at Oiike Pond is likely to have been arranged after the pond was completed, meaning fiscal 1943 or later. However, I could not confirm from the referenced materials whether Benzaiten faith or water-deity worship existed in this area before that time.

In spring, the cherry blossoms along the pond are a highlight. In autumn, the floating hall and autumn leaves create another seasonal view. The building appears to float on the water, and together with the surrounding trees, the pond itself forms a scenic landscape.

Oiike is not only a scenic waterside place. It is also an agricultural irrigation reservoir. According to materials from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Oiike is a large reservoir that supplies water to about 203 hectares of farmland, including rice fields and strawberry fields.

Irrigation Reservoirs and Water Faith

Aichi Prefecture explains that irrigation reservoirs were man-made ponds built by earlier generations to secure agricultural water. Reservoirs support farming, but they also provide habitats for living things, places for local rest, flood control, emergency water sources, and other functions.

Aichi Prefecture also explains that many reservoirs have old stories and legends, and that some ponds enshrine water deities or dragon deities to protect important water sources. Oiike Benzaiten is introduced as one example of this relationship between reservoirs and faith.

For this reason, Oiike Benzaiten can be seen not only as a shrine standing in a pond, but also as a local faith connected with protecting reservoir water and praying at the waterside.

The View of Oiike Pond and the Floating Hall

The most memorable part of Oiike Pond is the combination of the water surface and the floating hall.

The floating hall standing in the pond visually expresses waterside faith. The water surface, Benzaiten, floating hall, cherry blossoms, and autumn leaves together make Oiike both an agricultural reservoir and a place of faith and landscape.

Oiike Pond Supports Local Agriculture

Oiike Pond is also a water source that supports agriculture in Kota.

According to the materials, the water of Oiike Pond is distributed to farmland, including rice fields and strawberry fields. Kota is known for agriculture such as persimmons and strawberries, so the water that supports these fields is important to the area.

The fact that Benzaiten is enshrined beside the water connects naturally with the idea of protecting agricultural water. Water supports the fields, grows crops, and sustains local life. A place of prayer beside that water is an important part of reading the history of this irrigation reservoir.

Historical Timeline

Period	Event
Fiscal 1943	Oiike Pond is described as having been built as an agricultural irrigation reservoir.
Fiscal 1943 or later	The current waterside setting where Benzaiten is enshrined at Oiike Pond is likely to have been arranged after the pond was completed.
Today	Oiike Pond supports farmland in Kota as a large man-made pond and agricultural irrigation reservoir.
Waterside faith	Oiike Benzaiten is enshrined at the pond, together with the floating hall, stone torii gate, stone lanterns, cherry blossoms, and autumn leaves.
Reference materials	Aichi Prefecture introduces Oiike Benzaiten as an example of the relationship between irrigation reservoirs and faith.

After Visiting Oiike Benzaiten

Oiike Benzaiten is closely connected with the scenery of Oiike Pond as a Benzaiten shrine beside the water.

I found this sacred place on the way to Mikawa Sarutahiko Shrine, but the red floating hall on the water left a strong impression on me. If you visit the area, it is also a good idea to visit both Oiike Benzaiten and Mikawa Sarutahiko Shrine together.

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Visited on: May 23, 2026