Located in the town of Matsushima, on the southern tip of the Oshika Peninsula, Kagishima Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shrine's architecture and layout are characteristic of the Kamakura period (1185-1333), with a wooden torii gate and traditional wooden buildings. Visitors can experience the serene natural beauty of the surrounding area, which inspired famous Japanese artist Hokusai.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu
- Coordinates
- 38.7682845, 141.2179176
Visitor tip
Try some local specialties like Matsushima-gohan (a type of rice bowl dish), which is often served at the shrine's outdoor festival grounds during the summer solstice festivities.
Cultural notes
Kagishima Shrine is famous for its beautiful gardens and traditional festivals, including the annual Summer Solstice Festival, which honors the sun goddess Amaterasu. Visitors can also experience the unique ' torii-gaki' tradition, where a bridge made of sacred trees is constructed across the shrine's entrance.
Historical note
The shrine was rebuilt in 1658 after being destroyed by an earthquake.