Patsuizuka Shrine, located in the historic town of Awaodori, Tokushima Prefecture, is dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okami. The shrine's architecture reflects its origins during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), with a distinctive thatched-roof hall and vermilion lacquered torii gate. The shrine complex includes several smaller shrines for various regional kami, such as the Awa Kagutsuchi Shrine and the Awa Shitennose Shrine.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Awa Kagutsuchi, Awa Shitennose
- Coordinates
- 34.0912154, 133.7047693
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's tranquil atmosphere, visit at dawn or dusk when the mist from the nearby Awa River creates a mystical veil around the complex.
Cultural notes
As an important Shinto shrine in Tokushima, Patsuizuka Shrine is also significant for its associations with the Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) and the autumnal equinox festival of Michi no Niwabi. The shrine's enshrined kami, Inari Okami, is revered as a patron deity for rice fields, agriculture, and fertility.
Historical note
Founded during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), this shrine has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for centuries.