Located in the Okayama Prefecture, Fuki Shinto Shrine is dedicated to the kami of smallpox and disease prevention. The shrine's architecture reflects its historical significance as a site where patients suffering from smallpox would come to pray for recovery. Visitors can experience the traditional Japanese atmosphere by walking through the tranquil gardens and viewing the shrine's intricately carved wooden structures.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susano-wo
- Kami enshrined
- Susano-wo
- Coordinates
- 34.5599234, 133.6510307
Visitor tip
Visit the shrine during its annual Fuku-Matsuri festival (late September), where locals celebrate the prevention of disease with traditional performances and offerings to the kami.
Cultural notes
As a symbol of protection against disease, Fuki Shrine's wooden lanterns are said to ward off evil spirits. In Shinto mythology, the shrine is also connected to the legend of the great god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, who is often depicted as a powerful deity capable of purifying contaminated areas.
Historical note
Established in 1868, Fuki Shrine was built to commemorate the end of the smallpox epidemic that had ravaged Okayama.