Located in the heart of Tokushima,八鉾神社 (Hachimantai Shrine) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war and patron deity of the Imperial Family. This shrine is famous for its beautiful forested grounds and stunning architecture, which reflects the traditional Japanese style of shrine design.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hachiman
- Kami enshrined
- Hachiman
- Coordinates
- 33.9201919, 134.6164805
Visitor tip
To appreciate the shrine's beauty, visit at dawn or dusk when the mist is still present in the forested grounds.
Cultural notes
Hachimantai Shrine is associated with the legend of Hachiman's discovery of the legendary sword, Kusanagi. The shrine also hosts a famous New Year's (Oshogatsu) festival, where locals dress up in traditional costumes and offer prayers to Hachiman.
Historical note
The shrine was rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by fire in 1879, during the Meiji period's modernization efforts.