Three-Forged Shrine, located in the town of Katsuura in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Fujin and Raijin, the Wind God and Thunder God respectively, as well as Yamatsumi, the God of the Sea. The shrine's name, 'San-gan-in' (three forges), refers to the three great mountains that surround it and are said to be the forges where these deities were born. The shrine is famous for its beautiful gardens and traditional architecture.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Fujin, Raijin, Yamatsumi
- Kami enshrined
- Fujin, Raijin, Yamatsumi
- Coordinates
- 35.8869617, 140.5033771
Visitor tip
To experience the full beauty of the shrine's gardens, best visit at dawn or dusk when the light is soft and golden.
Cultural notes
As one of the few Shinto shrines dedicated to both wind and thunder gods, Three-Forged Shrine is unique in its cosmology. Yamatsumi, also enshrined here, is often invoked for protection against natural disasters such as storms and tsunamis.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in 1455 by the Ashina clan, a powerful local daimyo family.