Riverine Shrine of Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to the Shitennō-ji, a sacred Buddhist site established by Emperor Shōmu in 745 CE. The shrine's origins are tied to the reverence for the region's patron kami, a powerful water spirit believed to protect the local population and ensure fertility.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susumu and Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Susumu, Inari
- Coordinates
- 34.2039121, 131.9006173
Visitor tip
For a unique experience, visit at dawn or dusk when the sunlight filters through the shrine's torii gate, casting a striking golden glow over the surrounding landscape.
Cultural notes
As part of its Buddhist roots, the shrine hosts the annual Shitennō-ji Festival in April, where participants reenact the legendary transfer of the Buddha's relics from China to Japan. Locals also celebrate the river's patron deity during the spring Equinox (Shunbun no Hi) festival.
Historical note
Established during the Nara period (710-794 CE), initially as an imperial shrine.