Located in the town of Kosaka, Niigata Prefecture, Torishimaya Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Ryujin and Tsukuyomi, but most notably known as 熊野神社 (Kusakabe Jinja) for its association with the legendary samurai Kusakabe Manjiro. The shrine is famous for being the birthplace of Manjiro who later became a Christian missionary in the 19th century and a hero of Japan.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Ryujin, Tsukuyomi
- Kami enshrined
- Ryujin, Tsukuyomi
- Coordinates
- 37.4993788, 139.8703275
Visitor tip
To fully experience the shrine's charm, visitors should try some local specialties such as Kusakabe Manjiro-zushi at the shrine's torii gate.
Cultural notes
Torishimaya Shrine is significant not only for its historical connection to Kusakabe Manjiro but also for its unique architecture. The main hall of the shrine, known as the honden, features a distinctive tiled roof and serves as an example of Heian-style temple architecture.
Historical note
The shrine was first established during the Edo period, specifically in 1634.