Katori Shrine
Cost
free
Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Shrines Temples > Chiba
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
The Katori Shrine Honden (main/most important building)
About
Katori Shrine is a very important Shinto shrine in Chiba Japan as it is one of only three shrines given the label "Jingu" predating the Edo Era (the other two shrines are Ise Shrine and near by Kashima Shrine). A "Jingu" level ranked shrine protects the nation and appeases the gods. It is also the Head Shrine of the more than 400 Katori shrines in the Kanto region. The main God or "Kami" of Katori Shrine is the God of Swords and Lighting who's name is Futsunushi, the "Protector of Military Men". Futsunushi is also a general of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and the universe and a major deity in the Shinto religion. Katori Shrine can also referred to as Katori Jingu or Shimosa Ichinomiya Katori Shrine.
The shrine was founded in ancient times, before records were kept, but it states in ancient historical documents that the shrine was founded around 643 BC. It sits up on the top of a slightly elevated mountain called Mt. Kamegase within the Katori Woods, a Natural Monument of Chiba Prefecture. The current main building called the Honden and the main gate called the Romon Gate were both constructed in 1700. The Romon Gate displays a plaque with the shrines name, written by Togo Heihachiro (the Nelson of the East). The shrine holds a festival every April 14th and a "Grand Festival" every 12 years.
Katori Shrine is very near Sawara, nicknamed "Little Edo". If you plan on visiting Sawara you might want to consider visiting Katori Shrine or even Kashima Shrine (another 20 min. down the line). From Sawara you can walk to Katori Shrine from Sawara in about an hour (around 3.5 kilos) or jump in a taxi and get there in about 10 min.
Access
Closest Train Station: Katori
1697-1 Katori
Chiba 287-0017 Japan
Tel: 0478-57-3211
Note: If your going to head out to Katori Shrine, we highly recommend visiting Sawara as well. Sawara is just one station away from Katori Shrine and worth the visit.
- from Tokyo
- By Train: From Tokyo Station ride a Sobu Line Rapid bound for Narita Airport Terminal 1 or 2 to Narita Station (1h 10min). Transfer at Narita station and ride a JR Narita Line bound for Choshi to Katori Station (30 min). Katori Station is 1 station past Sawara Station.
- from Narita Airport / Narita city
- By Train: From Narita Airport Station (terminal 1 or 2) ride a JR Narita Line bound for Tokyo to Narita Station (11 min). Transfer at Narita station and ride a JR Narita Line bound for Choshi to Katori Station (30 min). Katori Station is 1 station past Sawara Station.
- By Car: 45 min. by regular roads (no tolls). 25 min. by using a toll expressway (840 yen).
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Katori Shrine.
Hours & Fees
Hours: Always open
Closed: No closing days
Cost: Free
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Katori Shrine Homepage
