Akabane-hachiman-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Akabane-hachiman-jinja is a small shrine sitting on a gentle hill in the Akabane district. The grounds feature traditional wooden structures with curved roofs, several smaller subsidiary shrines, stone lanterns, and pathways lined with tall trees that provide shade and privacy.
The shrine was founded around 784 during Emperor Kammu's reign when military commander Sakanoe no Tamuramaro prayed here for victory in battles. Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt and renovated several times, most recently in 1988, serving as an important spiritual center for local samurai families and the surrounding villages.
This shrine serves as a place where visitors pray for good fortune, safety, and success in work or studies. Many people write their wishes on small wooden plaques and hang them at the site, a practice that remains part of the local spiritual tradition.
The shrine is about a 10-minute walk from Akabane Station and is easily accessible with no admission fee required. There is no parking nearby, so most visitors arrive on foot or by train from the surrounding area.
A remarkable feature is that the shrine sits directly above underground railway tracks where fast Shinkansen trains pass regularly beneath the grounds. Visitors can experience this rare sight of modern trains traveling directly under the historic site, a contrast that sets this shrine apart from others.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
