厳島神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, dedicated to the god of storms and fertility, Susanoo-no-Mikoto's brother, Amaterasu's twin son Kamuyama no Kami and also Susanoo's grandson Ōkuninushi. The shrine is famous for its connection to the Japanese mythological hero Susanoo and the creation of islands.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kamuyama no Kami, Ōkuninushi
- Coordinates
- 35.4188952, 139.5101909
Visitor tip
To appreciate the shrine's unique architecture, visit at sunrise or sunset when the morning or evening sun casts a warm glow on the main hall.
Cultural notes
Susanoo is a significant figure in Japanese mythology and the shrine is one of the few Shinto shrines that specifically enshrines him as the primary deity. The shrine also has a strong connection to the creation myth of Japan's islands, where Susanoo is said to have created the islands by striking his club on the back of the sea goddess Amaterasu.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in the 8th century during the Nara period.