Located in the heart of Sakado, Saitama, Eight Horseshoe Shrine is a revered Shinto temple dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto and later became associated with the god Amaterasu's consort, Otohime. The shrine's stunning architecture features a unique eight-horseshoe-shaped roof, said to symbolize protection against evil spirits.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Otohime
- Coordinates
- 35.8553724, 139.3204988
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's beauty, visit at dawn or dusk when the setting sun highlights the Eight Horseshoe's curves.
Cultural notes
The shrine is famously associated with the legend of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, who accidentally destroyed the world by bursting a massive bubble. In an attempt to restore balance, Otohime cleansed the world of evil spirits with her magical powers, resulting in eight horseshoe-shaped islands.
Historical note
Established in 1588 during the Momotarasan no Orochi-iru-jin era