Kashima Jinja, located in the city of Imanishi in the Nagano prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Okami and the storm god Susanoo no Mikoto. The shrine's name 'Kashima' refers to its location on Kashima Island, a small island that was once connected to the mainland by land. According to legend, the shrine was originally built to honor the kami of the island, but it later came to be associated with the imperial family. Today, visitors can explore the shrine's traditional architecture and participate in festivals and rituals to purify their minds and bodies.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu Okami and Susanoo no Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu Okami, Susanoo no Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 35.8868399, 138.0790354
Visitor tip
To fully experience Kashima Jinja, consider visiting during the Oiso Festival in December, which features traditional dance performances and sake tastings.
Cultural notes
Kashima Jinja is known for its unique 'sugi-zukuri' architecture, featuring a forest of pine trees with ritual gates. The shrine is also famous for its 'Fudoshin no Miya' gate, which is said to have been used as a resting place for the storm god Susanoo no Mikoto during his travels.
Historical note
The shrine has a long history dating back to the 8th century, when it was built as a small village shrine. Over time, it grew in importance and came to be associated with the imperial family.