Hirota-jinja Shrine

One of Japan's most mythologically significant shrines — Hirota in Nishinomiya was supposedly founded in the 3rd century by Empress Jingū, dedicated to the fierce aramitama spirit of the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Hirota Shrine in Nishinomiya is one of Japan's oldest and most mythologically significant sanctuaries. According to the Nihon Shoki chronicle, it was founded by the legendary Empress Jingū in the third century upon her return from Korea — dedicated to the aramitama, the wild and fierce spirit of the sun goddess Amaterasu. This makes Hirota a uniquely charged sacred site: while Ise Shrine venerates the peaceful nigimitama of Amaterasu, Hirota guards its fierce counterpart. The shrine gained renewed prominence in the twelfth century as a protective sanctuary of the Heike warriors. Today it is a place of deep spiritual atmosphere, surrounded by ancient cedars and camphor trees.