⛩️ Raiden Shrine

Raiden Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the Thunder God, praying for a bountiful harvest. The custom of worshiping the Thunder God has existed in the northern Kanto region of Japan since ancient times, primarily distributed in the Tone River basin of Gunma Prefecture and Tochigi Prefecture. The head shrine is the Ikakura Raiden Shrine in Ikakura Town, Gunma Prefecture, which is said to have been established by Prince Shotoku. The Kiryu Raiden Shrine was built in the early Edo period in 1677, located at the summit of Raiden Mountain (now called Mizudato Mountain) at an altitude of 210 meters. The deity enshrined here is the Fire Thunder God, who was once the guardian deity of the prominent Kiryu clan, the Jōken family. In 1984, the main hall and the large torii gate were constructed, and in 2012, the Zuihōden (Kagura Hall) was renovated. The hall of worship at Kiryu Raiden Shrine, located in the city of Kiryu, features an impressive vermilion fence. The shrine is near JR Kiryu Station, with a large red torii gate standing along the path. Nowadays, it is popular in Japan to collect goshuin (shrine stamps), and the goshuin from Kiryu Raiden Shrine, which depicts the Thunder God, is particularly striking, attracting many visitors from all over the country. This shrine offers two types of goshuin in vermilion and gold; if you wish to receive one after your visit, please go to the shrine office on the left side within the shrine grounds. The ema (wooden votive tablets) feature a friendly depiction of the Thunder God along with the phrase "dreams come true." The vending machine within the shrine grounds also has a Thunder God design! Goshuin are usually written by shrine staff and stamped with a seal. Since they are handwritten, even if written by the same staff member, no two are exactly alike, making each goshuin unique and embodying the spirit of "ichigo ichie" (one time, one meeting). If you visit Kiryu, be sure to pay a visit to Kiryu Raiden Shrine and pray for a goshuin that is uniquely yours, adorned with the image of the Thunder God! The golden goshuin features a sticker of the Thunder God on the left side.