厳島神社, located in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami and Tsukiyomi-no-kami, two of Japan's most important deities. The shrine is famous for its beautiful gardens, stunning architecture, and historic significance as the last remaining shrine dedicated to the worship of two major kami from ancient times.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukiyomi-no-kami
- Kami enshrined
- Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi
- Coordinates
- 35.8878734, 139.9459358
Visitor tip
To fully appreciate the shrine's beauty, visit at dawn or dusk when the sunlight filtering through the torii gate creates a stunning visual effect.
Cultural notes
厳島神社 is closely tied to Japanese mythology and is believed to be the site where Amaterasu was said to have hidden in the mountains to escape her sister Tsukiyomi's advances. The shrine also hosts an annual summer festival, known as the '厳島神社 summer festival', which features traditional dances, games, and food stalls.
Historical note
The shrine was rebuilt in 1632 following a fire that destroyed the original structure during the Edo period.