Located in Miyagi Prefecture,鹿島神社 (Kashima Shrine) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Kashima Island, a historic island that was once part of mainland Japan but now lies submerged underwater due to natural sedimentation. The shrine's architecture reflects its historical significance as a coastal settlement and commercial center during the Edo period. Visitors can still see remnants of the old harbor and fisherman's village nearby.
- Denomination
- shinto
- Religion
- shinto
- Kami enshrined
- Hachiman
- Coordinates
- 38.8966261, 141.1247082
Visitor tip
To experience the shrine at its best, visit at dawn or dusk when the tide is low, allowing you to see the old harbor and island ruins more clearly.
Cultural notes
Kashima Shrine is closely associated with the myth of Kashima, a young fisherman who was said to have been saved from drowning by the god of the sea, Okuninushi. The shrine also hosts an annual festival in July to commemorate this event.
Historical note
The shrine was built in 1628, during the Edo period, on the site of an earlier shrine that dated back to the Nara period.