厳島神社, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines. Dedicated to the deity Amaterasu Omikami, it is renowned for its importance as a symbol of the imperial family and its connections to the founding myth of Japan. The shrine is situated on the northern tip of Oshirojima Island in the Suribachi Strait, off the coast of Ibaraki.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu Omikami
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu Omikami, Susanowo-no-kami, Tsukuyomi-no-kami
- Coordinates
- 35.7971375, 140.0037561
Visitor tip
To respectfully pray at the shrine, visitors should first purchase a bundle of salt (called 'hassaku') to pay for their offerings; then proceed in a clockwise direction around the shrine grounds and make an offering at each torii gate.
Cultural notes
厳島神社 is closely tied to the myth of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, who is said to have descended onto the island. According to legend, this descent allowed the Yamato people to claim Japan as their homeland. The shrine's architecture reflects its importance in Shinto mythology and its role as a symbol of imperial authority.
Historical note
The shrine was originally established at the site of an ancient Yayoi period burial mound.