Suga Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Suga, Daito Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Its origins are described in Japan’s oldest chronicles, including the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and the shrine is traditionally known as Nihon Hatsunomiya, or “Japan’s First Shrine.”
The origins of Suga Shrine are said to date back to the age of the gods. The shrine is closely associated with Susanoo-no-Mikoto, one of the central figures in Izumo mythology, and his wife, Kushinada-hime. For centuries, the shrine has been revered as an important sacred site in the region.
One of the most distinctive features of Suga Shrine is the tradition that this was the place where Japan’s first palace was built.
According to Japanese mythology, after defeating the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi, Susanoo and Kushinada-hime searched for a peaceful place where they could settle. When they arrived in the area of Suga, Susanoo is said to have felt refreshed and at peace. He therefore named the place “Suga,” and built a palace here.
This story is recorded in connection with the origins of the shrine and gives Suga a special place in the mythology of Izumo.
Suga Shrine is also associated with the origins of waka, a traditional form of Japanese poetry.
Susanoo is traditionally said to have composed the following poem when he built his palace:
“Many clouds rise,
at Izumo’s eightfold fences;
for my wife and me,
I build eightfold fences—
those eightfold fences.”
The poem is traditionally regarded as Japan’s oldest waka poem. A monument inscribed with the poem stands within the shrine grounds, making Suga Shrine an important site not only for Japanese mythology but also for the history of Japanese literature.
The principal deities enshrined at Suga Shrine are Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushinada-hime-no-Mikoto, and Suga-no-Yamanushi-Minasarohiko-Yashimano-Mikoto.
Takeminakata-no-Mikoto is also enshrined as an associated deity.
Because Suga Shrine is connected with Susanoo and Kushinada-hime, who are regarded as a divine couple, the shrine is particularly associated with good relationships and harmonious marriages.
Traditional blessings associated with the shrine include protection from misfortune, good fortune, successful relationships, marital harmony, fertility, safe childbirth, and the fulfillment of various wishes.
At the entrance to the approach stands a large stone torii gate, said to be one of the largest of its kind in the San’in region.
Beyond the gate are the worship hall and main sanctuary, built in the traditional Taisha-zukuri architectural style associated with ancient Izumo shrines.
Large, mature cedar trees stand throughout the grounds, creating a quiet and dignified atmosphere appropriate for this ancient sacred site.
A pond within the shrine grounds is traditionally said to have once been a place where hot spring water emerged. Today, lotus plants grow across the pond, creating a peaceful natural setting.
Growing from a single root are two pine trunks that separate as they rise. Known as the “Married Couple Pines,” they are seen as a symbol of harmony between a man and a woman and are associated with love, marriage, and lasting relationships.
The path leading toward the inner shrine is known as the Literary Monument Path. Around 60 monuments bearing waka poems and haiku stand along the route.
As a place traditionally associated with the birth of Japanese waka poetry, Suga Shrine has attracted many lovers of literature who have dedicated poems and literary monuments here. The path offers a peaceful cultural walk through the forest.
At Suga Shrine, it has traditionally been customary to visit both the main shrine and the inner shrine, or Okumiya. This practice is known as Ninomiya-mairi, or the “Two-Shrine Pilgrimage.”
The inner shrine is located approximately 2 kilometers from the main shrine, on the slopes of Mt. Yakumo. Walking there combines worship with a peaceful nature walk through the mountain environment.
At the inner shrine stand three enormous rocks known as Meotoiwa, or the “Married Couple Rocks.” The rocks stand close together and are regarded as iwakura, sacred rocks believed to be inhabited by the spirits of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushinada-hime-no-Mikoto, and their divine child.
Such sacred rocks reflect an ancient form of Japanese religious practice that predates the construction of formal shrine buildings.
The site is traditionally associated with successful relationships, marital harmony, and fertility, and in recent years it has also attracted visitors interested in Japan’s spiritual and “power spot” traditions.
Along the route to the inner shrine is Shinsen Sakanemizu, a clear natural spring. Visitors can pause here and use the spring water as part of a traditional act of purification before continuing their visit.
The walk through the forest, combined with the sacred atmosphere of the mountain, provides a deeper experience of the traditions surrounding Suga Shrine.
Suga Shrine is also mentioned as “Suga-no-Yashiro” in the Izumo Fudoki, an ancient record compiled in the eighth century.
Since ancient times, the shrine has been revered as an important local guardian shrine. Over the centuries, its religious traditions developed and incorporated influences from other areas of Japan.
During the medieval period, traditions associated with Suwa worship were incorporated into the shrine’s religious practices, and Takeminakata-no-Mikoto was enshrined here.
The Mt. Yakumo area behind the shrine was also regarded as an important location for ancient religious rituals. The sacred rocks at the inner shrine are particularly valuable because they preserve a form of worship that existed before permanent shrine buildings became established.
Suga Shrine holds numerous traditional Shinto ceremonies throughout the year. Major events include the Momote-mato Archery Ritual in February, the Chinowa Purification Ritual in June, and the Annual Grand Festival in September.
One particularly distinctive ceremony is the Shikashoku Ritual, held on the evening before the annual festival.
In earlier times, the ritual involved offering a deer’s head. Today, sliced eggplant is used as a substitute, while prayers are offered for peace and stability in the country and abundant harvests.
Performed in a quiet atmosphere, this unusual ritual preserves elements of ancient religious traditions and provides a glimpse into the long history of local worship.
During the annual festival, Ushio Shindai Kagura, a traditional form of sacred dance from the local area, is performed as an offering to the deities.
The energetic and colorful performances bring Japanese mythology and local traditions to life. A nighttime Kagura performance event is also held in summer, attracting both local residents and visitors.
Suga Shrine can be reached by bus from Izumo-Daito Station on the JR Kisuki Line.
For travelers arriving by car, the shrine is approximately 30 minutes from the Mitoya-Kisuki Interchange on the Matsue Expressway.
Suga Shrine stands at the foot of the forested Mt. Yakumo, making the natural surroundings part of the experience.
Spring brings fresh green foliage, while summer is surrounded by deep green forests. In autumn, colorful leaves transform the mountain landscape, and winter brings a quiet atmosphere to the sacred grounds.
Suga Shrine is a remarkable destination where Japanese mythology, ancient literature, Shinto traditions, and beautiful mountain scenery come together.
The shrine is traditionally associated with the place where Susanoo built his first palace after defeating Yamata-no-Orochi, as well as with the origins of Japanese waka poetry. The main shrine, the Literary Monument Path, and the mysterious Meotoiwa rocks at the inner shrine each reveal a different aspect of its long history.
For visitors interested in Japanese mythology, the traditional Two-Shrine Pilgrimage is an especially meaningful way to explore the site. Walking from the main shrine to the inner shrine allows you to experience both the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Mt. Yakumo.
Located away from the busiest tourist routes, Suga Shrine offers an opportunity to encounter a quieter and more spiritual side of the Izumo region. A visit here provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient stories, beliefs, and landscapes that continue to shape the cultural identity of Shimane.