A major Shinto shrine complex dedicated to the guardian deity of seafarers and maritime safety. Famous for its dramatic location on Mount Zozu and the challenging climb of 1,368 stone steps to reach the main shrine buildings.
- Denomination
- Konpira
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Ōmononushi-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Ōmononushi-no-Mikoto, Sutoku Tennō
- Founding
- Heian period
- Coordinates
- 33.3727374, 132.687929
Visitor tip
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the climb involves 785 steps to the main shrine and an additional 583 steps to the inner shrine.
Cultural notes
Konpira has been revered by sailors throughout Japanese history, who would pray for safe voyages and protection from storms. The shrine's influence extended throughout Japan's maritime culture, with smaller Konpira shrines established in ports nationwide.
Historical note
Originally established as a Buddhist-Shinto syncretic temple dedicated to Konpira, a guardian deity of sailors derived from the Hindu deity Kumbhira. During the Meiji Restoration's separation of Buddhism and Shinto, it was converted to a purely Shinto shrine and rededicated to Ōmononushi-no-Mikoto.