West Usona Shrine, located in New Hidaka Town, northern Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami and the god of war Susanoo-no-Mikoto. The shrine's name, Usona, refers to the 'western plain' in Japanese, symbolizing its connection to the region's geographical features.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Amaterasu Omikami
- Coordinates
- 42.3535633, 142.4909336
Visitor tip
Visit the shrine during the annual Star Festival (Tanabata) on July 7th to witness the beautiful lanterns and floats that commemorate the mythological lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi.
Cultural notes
As a shrine located in northern Japan, Usona Shrine incorporates elements of the region's unique cultural heritage. The shrine's architecture is influenced by the local Ainu people's traditional wooden structures, while its decorations feature vibrant colors and motifs typical of Hokkaido's nature-inspired art.