Located in the scenic Sakai City, Hyogo Prefecture, Tsurugi-jinsha Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of fire and metalworking. The shrine's name, meaning 'Iron God Shrine,' reflects its association with the deity responsible for smithing and metallurgy. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional architecture, which features a vermilion torii gate and a large iron lantern.
- Religion
- shinto
- Kami enshrined
- Tsurugi-jin, other kami
- Coordinates
- 34.8645004, 134.6791582
Visitor tip
For visitors interested in trying local cuisine, the Sakai City area is famous for its takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake).
Cultural notes
As a shrine dedicated to a kami associated with metalworking, Tsurugi-jinsha Shrine has connections to Japanese mythology surrounding smithing and craftsmanship. During the Heian period, the shrine was an important center for metalwork and was said to have produced fine iron tools. Today, visitors can still see exhibits of traditional metalwork in the shrine's museum.