Located in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Honden Shrine is a notable Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. As one of the oldest shrines in Japan, it has been an important center for worship and cultural events since its founding in the 8th century. The shrine's architecture reflects traditional Japanese design elements, with a main hall (honden) featuring a distinctive tiled roof and wooden columns.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu, Susahimo
- Coordinates
- 34.981306, 137.8660739
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's beauty, consider visiting at dawn or dusk when natural light illuminates the exterior. A short walk from the main hall is a scenic garden with various types of Japanese maples.
Cultural notes
Honden Shrine is connected to the mythology of the sun goddess Amaterasu, who is said to have descended upon earth from heaven. During the annual Shishimai Dance Festival, which takes place in May, shrine participants dress in traditional costumes and perform a ritual dance to invoke the goddess's blessings.
Historical note
Honden Shrine was founded during the Nara period, making it one of Japan's oldest shrines.