Located in Akita Prefecture, Akita Harakawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of the rivers and forests. The shrine's name, Harakawa, refers to the nearby Akita River, which runs through the city. According to local legend, the shrine was founded by a samurai named Date Masamune in 1610, during the Edo period.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Tsukiyomi
- Kami enshrined
- Tsukiyomi, the god of the moon
- Coordinates
- 39.617255, 140.354485
Visitor tip
To experience the shrine's natural beauty, take a stroll along the Akita River before visiting the shrine.
Cultural notes
As a major pilgrimage site for the god of rivers, the shrine holds an annual water festival in May to celebrate the arrival of spring. The shrine is also famous for its beautiful autumn foliage and historic architecture, including the main hall built during the Meiji period.
Historical note
Built as a memorial to Date Masamune, who helped establish the Tokugawa shogunate.