Izumo Taishakyo Shrine

The Izumo Taishakyo Shrine, a branch of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shinto Shrine of Izumo City, stands majestically over 100 years after it was established in 1906 by Rev. Katsuyoshi Miyao. The beautiful architecture of the shrine, inspired by the classical Izuma Taisha Japanese shrine, makes a site to see and a living experience of how the Shinto worship.

The shrine, located in city centre Honolulu, is the site of several events throughout the year, with its major one being the annual New Year’s Day hatsumode. It also hosts the yearly Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service to commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima.

Izumo Taishakyo Shrine - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Path in Honolulu (Read all about Honolulu here)

photo by Bittercup (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Izumo Taishakyo Shrine highlights

Religion enthusiasts, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone with an eye for beauty will find the Shrine captivating with its beautifully designed gates (the torii), well-decorated pathways (the sando), the cleansing fountains, decorative stone lanterns, and the symbolic lion dogs (the Komainu) who are guardians of the shrine and the Sanctuary where the Deity Okuninushi is enshrined.

Visitors to the shrine can also explore the worship and offertory halls. With the Hiroshima Peace Bell on view, the shrine is a great travel destination that acts as one of the major Japanese American landmarks in Hawaii.

Good to know about Izumo Taishakyo Shrine

There is a multipurpose social hall within the shrine that holds religious, social, and cultural meetings. Sports meetings, gatherings, and classes are also held in the hall. Everyone is welcome to participate in the activities of the shrine, with a greater emphasis on the involvement of the youth to ensure its survival.

The shrine is located just outside Honolulu's Arts District, where you'll find a plethora of dining options as well as the Kumu Kahua Theatre, where you can see plays with local themes performed in an intimate setting.

Location: 215 North Kukui Street, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96817-3951, USA

Phone: +1 808-538-7778

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