Izumigahara Shrine, located in the town of Minamiyashiro, Niigata Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine that honors the kami of Izumigahara, a mountain pass through the Yuzawa Mountains. The shrine's primary deity is Hachiman, the god of war and patron of warriors. In addition to Hachiman, the shrine also enshrines Izumi-no-Mikoto, the god of fertility and prosperity.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hachiman
- Kami enshrined
- Hachiman, Izumi-no-Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 37.1664268, 138.2231715
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's natural beauty, visitors should walk through the adjacent Izumigahara Forest during cherry blossom season or autumn foliage.
Cultural notes
Izumigahara Shrine is associated with the legend of a samurai who was killed in battle and was later deified by his lord. The shrine also hosts an annual festival, the Hachiman Matsuri, which honors the god's patronage of warriors and asks for protection from harm.
Historical note
The shrine was established in 1654 during the Edo period, when it was rebuilt on the site of an older temple. The shrine's current building is a traditional Shinto torii gate and a hon-den shrine dedicated to Hachiman.