Located in the scenic town of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tenjin Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines. Dedicated to the god of learning and poetry, Sugawara no Michizane, it attracts scholars, students, and literature lovers from around the world.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Sugawara no Michizane
- Kami enshrined
- Sugawara no Michizane, Okuninushi-no-kami
- Coordinates
- 34.6980376, 137.6334236
Visitor tip
Visitors can receive a traditional blessing at the shrine's entrance by performing the 'hatsumode' ritual, which involves circling the shrine five times while praying for good fortune.
Cultural notes
Tenjin Shrine is famously associated with the legendary Japanese poetry contest of the Heian period, where Sugawara no Michizane defeated a rival poet, thereby gaining favor with Emperor Saga. The shrine also celebrates the 'Tenjin Matsuri' festival in July, which honors the god's patronage of education and the arts.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built in 819 CE during the Heian period by Emperor Saga, who placed Sugawara no Michizane in charge of education and culture.