Kasuoka Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kasuoka, the capital city of Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dating back to the Nara period (710-794 CE). Visitors can admire the shrine's traditional Japanese architecture and enjoy the surrounding scenic views of Lake Biwa.
- Religion
- shinto
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu, Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 35.5550133, 136.1915995
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's traditional architecture, visitors are recommended to visit at dawn or dusk when the sunlight casts a warm glow over the shrine's buildings.
Cultural notes
Kasuoka Shrine is associated with the myth of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto. During the Obon festival, which honors the spirits of one's ancestors, the shrine holds a special Bon Odori dance performance to purify the soul.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), but its current structure dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE).