Castlegar Shrine, or Castle God Temple, is a Shinto shrine located in the Fukuoka Prefecture of Japan. Dedicated to the worship of Hachiman Tenjin and Inari Okami, the shrine's architecture reflects its historical significance as a site for the Heian-era military leader Minamoto no Tametomo, who was believed to have hidden his sword 'Tametomo' in the castle walls. The shrine's complex layout is said to mirror the layout of the ancient castle, and its temple buildings date back to the Edo period.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hachiman Tenjin and Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Hachiman Tenjin, Inari Okami
- Coordinates
- 33.3091375, 130.5735934
Visitor tip
Visit the shrine's Nakasato Shrine Hall on the second Sunday of every month for the 'Tametomo Sword Festival,' where visitors can see a replica of Tametomo's sword and participate in traditional dances.
Cultural notes
Castlegar Shrine is also famous for its associations with the mythical creatures known as 'Tenchō' or heavenly dragons, which are said to reside within the shrine grounds. The shrine celebrates the Tenchō Festival every spring, where participants dress up in dragon costumes and perform traditional dances.
Historical note
The shrine was originally constructed in the Heian era (794-1185 CE), during the rule of Emperor Ichijō