Utsunomiya Okami Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Utsunomiya, Shimane Prefecture. Dedicated to the kami of abundance and prosperity, the shrine's name translates to 'God of Rice' or 'Rice God'. The shrine's main hall features a distinctive haiden (main shrine) with a thatched roof, characteristic of traditional Japanese architecture. Visitors can pray for good fortune, fertility, and a bountiful harvest during the annual rice-planting festival in May.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Utsunomiya Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Utsunomiya Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.3438261, 132.9035654
Visitor tip
Visit the shrine's rice-planting festival in May to witness the traditional ceremony of planting sacred rice seeds and praying for a good harvest.
Cultural notes
As a shrine dedicated to the kami of abundance, Utsunomiya Okami Shrine is an important center for Shinto rituals related to agriculture and fertility. The shrine's thatched roof is also said to be a symbol of the cycle of growth and renewal in nature.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in 1889 by a local farmer who built it as a shrine to his patron deity, Utsunomiya Okami.