Afuri Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine located on Mount Oyama in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for its spectacular mountain setting and role as a center of mountain worship. The shrine consists of multiple buildings at different elevations, with the main shrine (honsha) situated near the summit of the sacred mountain.
- Denomination
- Mountain worship
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto, Takaokami-no-Kami, Oikazuchi-no-Kami
- Founding
- Ancient period
- Coordinates
- 35.4406014, 139.2311081
Visitor tip
The shrine can be reached by cable car partway up the mountain, but visitors should be prepared for additional hiking to reach the main shrine buildings.
Cultural notes
Mount Oyama and Afuri Shrine are central to the regional tradition of Oyama-mairi (mountain pilgrimage), which became especially popular during the Edo period. The mountain is considered sacred and has been a site of ascetic practices and spiritual purification.
Historical note
Afuri Shrine has ancient origins tied to mountain worship and was particularly significant during the Edo period when pilgrimages to Mount Oyama became popular among commoners from Edo (Tokyo). The shrine has long been associated with prayers for rain, good harvests, and protection from natural disasters, reflecting the mountain's spiritual significance in regional folk religion.