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Shinmei Shrine

神明社

Shinmei-sha

Gifu

Shinmei-sha is a type of Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supreme deity of the Shinto pantheon. These shrines are found throughout Japan and serve as local centers of worship for the imperial ancestral deity.

Denomination
Shinmei
Religion
shinto
Enshrined kami
Amaterasu Omikami
Kami enshrined
Amaterasu Omikami
Coordinates
35.1074959, 136.8404341

Visitor tip

Look for the characteristic clean lines and unpainted wood typical of Shinmei shrine architecture.

Cultural notes

Shinmei shrines are characterized by their connection to Ise Grand Shrine and often feature simple, elegant architecture emphasizing purity and natural materials. They represent the widespread veneration of Amaterasu as both a solar deity and the mythical ancestor of the Japanese imperial family.

More shrines in Gifu