Today, we visit the beautiful Shimozawa Shrine in Shirakawa-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Dedicated to the Shinto god Inari Okami, it is one of Japan's oldest shrines and a must-visit destination for those seeking enlightenment and blessings from the kami.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Ryujin, Susanoo no Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 36.4980552, 136.5832419
Visitor tip
When visiting the shrine, be sure to offer a prayer at the main torii gate, which faces east, symbolizing the dawn of a new day.
Cultural notes
Inshrined at Shimozawa Shrine are multiple kami, including Inari Okami, Ryujin, and Susanoo no Mikoto. The shrine also holds a biennial autumn festival, Aki Matsuri, in which locals dress up as local folk characters and perform traditional dances.
Historical note
Founded in 718 AD during the Nara period, this shrine has been an important site for locals and travelers alike for over 1,400 years.