Sengen-jinja Shrine, located in the city of Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, is dedicated to the legendary founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, Hachimanóe no Okami, a powerful Shinto kami. The shrine's name 'Sengen' means 'source of heaven' and refers to the mythological origins of the Tokugawa clan's power. The shrine's architecture is typical of Kamakura-period (12th-14th centuries) design, with a wooden torii gate and a five-story pagoda.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hachimanóe no Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Hachimanóe no Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.6956268, 139.844308
Visitor tip
Visit the shrine at sunrise or sunset to witness the beautiful vermilion torii gates, which are especially vibrant during these golden hours.
Cultural notes
As a major Shinto pilgrimage site, Sengen-jinja Shrine is also associated with the legend of Hachimanóe no Okami's journey from Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture to Mikawa Province (now part of Aichi Prefecture), where he would later establish the Tokugawa clan.
Historical note
Established in 1297 by Hachimanóe no Okami's descendant, Hojo Masako.