Ikonahimë-no-Mikoto Jinja

Ikonahimë-no-Mikoto Jinja, generally known as Shirahama ("White Beach") Jinja from its location, is possibly the oldest jinja on the Izu Peninsula in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, to the west of Tokyo. Twelve hundred years ago, it was granted the highest honours and respect by the central government, but now it is of purely local importance, and we know almost nothing of its main kami. It still has distinctive matsuri and interesting practices, and the mysteries around some of its features make it all the more intriguing.

Torii image © Dean Spencer, used with permission. All rights reserved.