A Kumano shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture, part of the extensive network of Kumano shrines throughout Japan that originated from the sacred Kumano Sanzan in the Kii Peninsula. These shrines typically enshrine the Kumano deities and serve as centers for local Shinto worship and community gatherings.
- Denomination
- Kumano
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Kumano Gongen (Kumano deities)
- Kami enshrined
- Izanagi-no-Mikoto, Izanami-no-Mikoto, Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 31.756917, 130.798167
Visitor tip
Look for the distinctive three-legged crow (Yatagarasu) symbol, which is closely associated with Kumano shrines.
Cultural notes
Kumano shrines are associated with purification, spiritual guidance, and the sacred crow Yatagarasu, which according to mythology guided Emperor Jimmu on his journey to establish Japan.
Historical note
Kumano shrines spread throughout Japan during the medieval period as the Kumano faith expanded beyond its origins in the Kii Peninsula. Local communities established these shrines to connect with the spiritual power of the original Kumano Sanzan, bringing the blessings of the Kumano deities to distant regions including southern Kyushu.