Located in the Japanese Alps, Shirakawa-go's neighboring town, Kiso, is home to the famous Nakasendo trail and Nakatogashi-zaka, a steep mountain road used by travelers during the Edo period. The region has strong Shinto connections, with Kiso-yamato shrine dedicated to Susanoo-no-kami, a major god in Japanese mythology. Another nearby shrine, Mino-san, enshrines Okuninushi, an important kami associated with harvest and agriculture. In the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture lies the 熊野神社 (Kuronoma Shrine), dedicated to the powerful and benevolent god Susanoo-no-kami.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susanoo
- Kami enshrined
- Susanoo, of, the, sea
- Coordinates
- 34.7513802, 137.9001788
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's beauty, visit at dawn or dusk when the light dances through the trees, highlighting the shrine's wooden structures.
Cultural notes
As one of Japan's oldest shrines, Kuronoma Shrine is closely tied to the mythology surrounding Susanoo-no-kami, who is said to have visited his sister, Amaterasu, and helped her retrieve a magical sword from the bottom of the sea. The shrine also participates in the annual Matsuri festival, which honors Susanoo-no-kami's arrival at the shrine.
Historical note
Founded in 776 AD, during the Nara period.