Kamakura's Yagumo Shrine

The protector against diseases and disasters

Steve Morton Oct 01, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Located within a quiet residential area, it would be very easy to miss this impressive shrine if not for the colorful red banners</p>

<p>The front entrance to this colorful shrine </p>

<p>As with many other shrines in Japan, there is an area where you can wash or purify your hands before entering the main courtyard</p>

<p>A `torii` (gate) with the main courtyard in the background</p>

<p>Looking back towards the street outside</p>

<p>A deity guards the grand entrance</p>

<p>The main shrine building surrounded by some colorful red lanterns and banners</p>

<p>An area containing many 'Omikuji` where you can make a wish for the future</p>

<p>Just one of the many colorful lanterns found within this shrine</p>

<p>A `Wagasa` (traditional umbrella) </p>

<p>This structure looks even more impressive when viewed up close</p>

<p>A dragon looks down on every worshipper!</p>

<p>A bigger and even scarier looking dragon can be seen higher up on the front roof</p>

<p>One last look at a colorful lantern before moving on</p>

Whilst most first time visitors to Kamakura will most likely head for the ever popular Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, this city also holds many other great cultural gems including the small but equally impressive Yagumo Shrine.

Built in 1082 by Yoshimitsu Minamoto (the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate), this unimposing neighborhood shrine is one of the oldest structures in Kamakura. It was originally built as an off shoot to the famous Yasuka Shrine in Kyoto.

During the Meiji Restoration (1886), this site was renamed Yagumo Shrine and contains the Japanese Deity Susano which is believed by worshippers to ward off diseases or disasters.

More info

Find out more about Yakumo Shrine.

Steve Morton @steve.morton138

Yokohama based content creator, editor, and researcher. Steven likes, eating, reading and traveling on a streamlined budget guaranteed to make any self-respecting local gulp. When not too busy with work assignments, Steven attempts to not get lost while following Japanese tourist maps.Follow me o...