Kasai Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kasai Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Higashi-Kanamachi with centuries-old wooden structures surrounded by ancient ginkgo trees and sacred stone statues. The grounds contain a quiet space with traditional buildings and various historical monuments that visitors can explore during their visit.
The shrine was founded in the late Heian period and served for centuries as the guardian shrine for multiple villages in the surrounding area. The famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu visited during the Edo period, which underscored its historical importance as a key gathering place for the local community.
Kasai Shrine takes its name from the historical Kasai clan that once governed the region. The shrine remains a gathering place where locals perform traditional festival music called Kasai Bayashi, a practice passed down through generations that still sounds during celebrations today.
The grounds are open from early morning until late afternoon and offer a quiet retreat in the heart of the city. The shrine sits about a 10-minute walk from Kanamachi Station, with free parking available on site for visitors arriving by car.
The shrine is known for the Naki Sumo festival in May, where babies are brought onto the sumo ring by wrestlers and encouraged to cry as a blessing for their health. This unusual event draws families who wish to participate in order to promote the well-being of their children.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
