Praying to the Shitennō-ji, the 'Ten Kings' at Praying to the Shrine of Furuichi-in is a common activity in Sanuki region, which includes Kagawa prefecture. Furuichi-in is one of Japan's oldest and most well-preserved temples, dating back to the 7th century, but also has connections to Shintoism due to its shrine adjacent to it. The shrine itself is located on the island of Shikoku, in a small town called Kotohira. Kami like Inari, Hachiman are commonly enshrined here.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Hachiman, Susanoo-no-Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 34.43714, 133.7948959
Visitor tip
To get a good view of the shrine's garden, visit at sunrise or sunset when the sunlight filters through the trees.
Cultural notes
The shrine is famous for its beautiful garden, which features over 1,000 cherry blossom trees. During spring, the trees are adorned with pink blossoms that attract many visitors. The Shitennō-ji is also a sacred site for the Shinto festival of Setsubun, where participants throw soybeans at evil spirits to ward off misfortune.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built as a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of war, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and later expanded into a Buddhist temple during the Heian period.