Two-so Shrine, located in the city of Katsura, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the enshrined deities Sōjōin (Sōgen no kami) and Sōmei Ōnoami. The shrine is famous for its beautiful autumn foliage and traditional architecture. The shrine's main hall features a large vermilion torii gate, while the inner shrine area contains several smaller shrines dedicated to local deities.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Sōjōin
- Kami enshrined
- Sōjōin, Sōmei Ō-noami
- Coordinates
- 36.3846652, 140.1281342
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the autumn foliage at Two-so Shrine, plan your visit for mid-November when the maples are in full bloom.
Cultural notes
The shrine is connected to the mythology of the Sōmei Ō-no-miya legend, where a hero named Sōmei saves the country from invaders. The shrine also hosts an annual autumn festival (, Akizuki Matsuri), featuring traditional games and performances.
Historical note
The shrine was originally established in the Edo period (1603-1868) as a rural shrine to serve the local community.