Raiden Shrine, Shinto shrine in Itakura, Japan
Raiden Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary in Itakura featuring a main hall surrounded by vermillion fencing and a worship space dedicated to thunder deities. The grounds hold a dedicated prayer area where offerings are made to three separate thunder gods.
Prince Shotoku founded the shrine in 598 as a response to severe storms and floods that repeatedly threatened the region. It has served since then as a place of protection for local people against such natural disasters.
The shrine honors Raiden, the thunder god, revered in the local community as a protector against storms. You can observe visitors coming to leave prayers and offerings, seeking protection and safety.
The shrine is accessible during daylight hours and provides space to explore the buildings and grounds at your own pace. It makes sense to plan your visit considering the local weather and seasons when visiting.
The shrine provides special seals featuring thunder god designs that visitors can purchase and collect. These red or gold-colored stamps are often given with matching stickers, which many keep as a memory of their visit.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.