Akama Shrine赤間神宮
The Akama Shrine, located in Shimonoseki, is a Shinto shrine that was established as the Amida-ji Temple in 859. It pays homage to Antoku, an emperor of Japan who passed away as a young child during the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. This conflict marked the end of the Genpei War, which saw the Minamoto clan defeat their rivals, the Taira clan, and put an end to their attempt to gain control of Japan.
The design of the shrine's gate is influenced by the Ryūgū-jō, a legendary underwater palace of the Ryūjin or Dragon God in Japanese folklore. It is said that Antoku's grandmother, Nii-no-Ama, who drowned with him, wished for their palace to be located underwater, and thus jumped into the sea.
Within the shrine, the Hoichi Hall houses a statue of Hoichi the Earless, a character from a classic Japanese ghost story.
Address
4-1 Amidaijicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi
Getting There
- 1 minutes walk from Akamajingumae (赤間神宮前)
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