Located in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Eight Pillars Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine famous for its unique architecture and scenic location. The shrine was originally built to enshrine the legendary warrior god Minamoto no Yoshitsune's favorite horse, Kinmei-no-umehito. Today, visitors can see the iconic eight pillars that form the shrine's distinctive appearance.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- null
- Kami enshrined
- null
- Coordinates
- 34.678648, 137.7204018
Visitor tip
To avoid heat exhaustion during summer visits, it is recommended to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon and use the shaded path around the main hall.
Cultural notes
As a symbol of good luck, it is customary for couples to tie their wedding ring to one of the eight pillars. The shrine also hosts a beautiful spring festival called 'Kinmei Matsuri' in May, featuring traditional music, dance, and food.
Historical note
The shrine was rebuilt in 1872 after a fire destroyed the original structure.