Love Temple Shrine, located in Gunma Prefecture, is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the Shinto sun goddess and Japan's most important deity. This shrine is renowned for its striking architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history dating back to the Heian period. With a long line of distinguished patrons including the Tokugawa shoguns, Love Temple Shrine continues to thrive as an important cultural site in Japan.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu Omikami
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu Omikami
- Coordinates
- 36.3681641, 139.1059346
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's beauty, visit early morning or late evening when the sun casts a golden glow on the buildings and gardens.
Cultural notes
Love Temple Shrine is famous for its numerous stone lanterns, known as 'tomonokabuto', which are used during the festival of 'Sanja Matsuri' in March. The shrine's architecture reflects the Meiji period, with the distinctive 'hikizuka' burial grounds of the Tokugawa family.
Historical note
The current main hall was built in 1684 during the Edo period.