One of Japan's oldest shrines, located in Nara and closely associated with Kasuga Taisha. Known as a guardian shrine for children and safe childbirth, it houses three important Shinto deities in separate buildings within its compact grounds.
- Denomination
- Kasuga
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Isakawa-hime-no-mikoto, Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto, Susanoo-no-mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Isakawa-hime-no-mikoto, Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto, Susanoo-no-mikoto
- Founding
- Asuka period · 593
- Coordinates
- 34.6762956, 135.8300554
Visitor tip
Visit during late spring when the shrine's small garden is particularly beautiful, and note the three separate worship halls for the different deities.
Cultural notes
The shrine is especially significant for its role in protecting children and ensuring safe childbirth. Local families traditionally bring newborns here for blessing ceremonies, continuing a practice that spans over a millennium.
Historical note
Founded in the 6th century, Isakawa Shrine predates even the establishment of Nara as Japan's capital. It served as an auxiliary shrine to the powerful Kasuga Taisha and was particularly revered by the Fujiwara clan. The shrine's intimate scale and ancient wooden architecture have been carefully preserved through numerous renovations over more than 1,400 years.