Located in the town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Iwata Shrine is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, the god of fertility, rice, and industry. The shrine's architecture reflects the traditional Japanese style, with a large torii gate and a five-story pagoda. As one of Japan's most famous shrines, it attracts numerous visitors each year.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Tsukiyomi
- Coordinates
- 34.7602662, 137.8376689
Visitor tip
To make an offering to Inari Okami, purchase small bags of rice grains and tie them with a blue string, which is said to be the god's favorite offering.
Cultural notes
Iwata Shrine is famous for its numerous foxes, which are believed to be sacred messengers of Inari Okami. According to legend, the shrine's fox spirit has been known to appear in various forms, including as a beautiful woman or a majestic fox. Visitors can find several fox statues and paintings throughout the shrine grounds.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in 718 CE by Emperor Shōmu, making it one of the oldest shrines in Japan.