Located in the Iwate Prefecture, Tenmoku Imperial Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the Shinto sun goddess and the most important deity of the Imperial Family of Japan. The shrine's architecture reflects traditional Japanese designs, with a rectangular main hall (honden) surrounded by smaller shrines and buildings. The site was originally used as a burial ground for the Emperors of Japan before being converted into a shrine in 698 CE. Today, visitors can experience the serene atmosphere and historic significance of this ancient shrine.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu Omikami
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo
- Coordinates
- 39.3765055, 141.7785236
Visitor tip
Arrive early in the morning to witness the sunrise, which is considered a sacred moment at this shrine.
Cultural notes
Tenmoku Imperial Shrine holds significant cultural importance, as it is one of the few Shinto shrines that are directly connected to the imperial family. The shrine's main hall is adorned with traditional Japanese architectural elements, including shinden-zukuri and takamagahara styles. Visitors can participate in the New Year (Oshogatsu) festivities, which take place on January 1st.
Historical note
The shrine's original burial grounds date back to the Asuka period (593-645 CE) and were later used as the site for the construction of the main hall in 698 CE.