Basho Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Awa, Chiba Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to the Shinto goddess Inari Okami and is famous for its beautiful gardens and traditional architecture. According to legend, Matsuo Basho, a renowned Japanese poet, visited this shrine during his travels and was inspired by its beauty.
- Religion
- shinto
- Kami enshrined
- Inari
- Coordinates
- 35.6840575, 139.7943354
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's gardens, visit early in the morning when they are still misty and peaceful.
Cultural notes
As one of the many Inari shrines dedicated to rice goddess Inari Okami, Basho Inari Shrine is associated with fertility and prosperity. During the annual Obon festival, lanterns are displayed at the shrine to guide spirits back to their homes.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in the late Edo period (1850s-1860s) by Matsuo Basho's follower, who built it as a memorial to the famous poet.