Located in the town of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Akakawa Inari Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to Inari Okami, the kami of rice, prosperity, and industry. The shrine's main hall was built during the Edo period (1603-1867), with its distinctive red torii gate standing out against the surrounding landscape. Visitors can walk through a tunnel made from 1,000 cedar doors to access the inner shrine.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.7921617, 139.828802
Visitor tip
To make an offering at the shrine's rice granary, fill a small box with red beans or coins and hang it on the door of the granary.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is often depicted as a man in yellow clothes carrying a bag, symbolizing his association with rice. The shrine is also famous for its 'tsukimi' viewing of the moon during the autumn harvest season, where visitors come to admire the full moon and make wishes.
Historical note
The shrine has been rebuilt several times due to fires and other disasters, with the current main hall dating back to 1685.