Gold Pavilion Shrine, located in Omi-Jingumi Town, Shiga Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shrine's name 'Kinryu' is derived from the Japanese term for gold, and its golden torii gate is a prominent feature of the complex. With a history dating back to the 7th century, Kinryu Shrine has been an important center for Shinto worship in the region.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu, Oinagitsuhime, Fukutomi-no-Kuratsume, Taka-Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 35.6137757, 135.941931
Visitor tip
Visit Kinryu Shrine early in the morning to witness the golden torii gate being lit with thousands of candles, a breathtaking sight during the sunset.
Cultural notes
Kinryu Shrine is closely associated with the mythology of Amaterasu, the sun goddess who descended from heaven to Earth. The shrine's golden torii gate is said to symbolize the sun's radiance and warmth.
Historical note
The shrine was founded during the Asuka period (c. 6th-7th centuries), and its original structure was destroyed by fires in the 10th and 16th centuries.