Katori Jingu Shrine : Katori City, Chiba Prefecture
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Table Of Contents
- Katori Jingu Shrine Location – 香取神宮 所在地 –
- What is Katori Jingu Shrine? – 香取神宮とは –
- Katori Jingu Shrine Precincts Map – 香取神宮 境内案内図 –
- Katori Jingu Shrine Shopping Association – 香取神宮 商店会 –
- Katori Shrine’s vermilion-lacquered torii gate – 香取神宮 朱塗の大鳥居 –
- Katori Jingu Shrine: Gravel-paved approach – 香取神宮 玉砂利の参道 –
- Third Torii Gate / Main Gate (Vermilion-lacquered Gate) – 三之鳥居・総門（朱塗りの門） –
- Katori Shrine’s purification fountain (temizuya) – 香取神宮 手水舎（てみずや） –
- Katori Jingu Shrine Rōmon Gate [Important Cultural Property] – 香取神宮 楼門（ろうもん）[重要文化財] –
- Katori Shrine Old Amulet Collection Point – 香取神宮 古神札納所 –
- Katori Shrine Gift Shop – 香取神宮 授与所 –
- Summary – 総括 –
Katori Jingu Shrine Location – 香取神宮 所在地 –
Katori Shrine – 香取神宮(Katori Jingū) –
Address: 1697-1 Katori, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture 287-0017
Get off at JR Sawara Station; it is about a 10-minute taxi ride.
Various bus services are also available from JR Sawara Station.
Get off at JR Katori Station (unmanned) and walk for 30 minutes (approx. 2 km).
Approximately 1.5 km from the Sawara-Katori Interchange on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
Parking: Two free parking areas
Parking Lot 1: Located approximately 550 meters southwest of the Main Gate. This parking lot is situated directly in front of the shopping street along the approach to the shrine.
Parking Lot 3: Approximately 350 meters southeast of the Main Gate. From the Sawara-Katori Interchange exit, proceed straight for about 500 meters and turn left (look for the sign).
What is Katori Jingu Shrine? – 香取神宮とは –
It is said to have been founded in the 18th year of Emperor Jimmu’s reign [神武天皇] (643 BC).This is the head shrine of the approximately 400 Katori Shrines located throughout Japan.
Its greatest appeal lies in the fact that it enshrines Futsunushi-no-Okami [経津主大神（ふつぬしのおおかみ）] —a deity of martial arts and victory mentioned in the *Nihon Shoki*—and is considered one of the Kanto region’s most powerful spiritual sites, said to bestow decisiveness and good fortune in contests and endeavors.
(;・∀・) I didn’t know that.
I was vaguely aware that it was the head shrine of all Katori Shrines, but…
A title of exceptional distinction – 別格の称号 –
These are shrines of exceptionally high prestige; prior to the Meiji era (before the adoption of the Meiji era name in 1868), only three shrines were permitted to bear the title “Jingū”: Ise Jingū [伊勢神宮] (Ise City, Mie Prefecture), Katori Jingū [香取神宮] (Katori City, Chiba Prefecture), and Kashima Jingū [鹿島神宮] (Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture).
The Difference Between Jingū and Jinja
“Shrine” is a general term for facilities that enshrine Japan’s ancient deities.“Jingu” refers to a special type of shrine that enshrines deities with particularly deep ties to the Imperial Family’s ancestors or the Emperor.
A *Jingū* is a type of Shinto shrine that bears a special name—or shrine title—based on its scale and historical significance.
The Three Shrines of the East – 東国三社 –
Along with Kashima Jingu and Ikisu Shrine (in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture), it is known as one of the “Three Shrines of Togoku” and has long been revered as a powerful sacred site.
Futsunushi-no-Okami, the deity of martial arts and victory. – 武術・勝運の神「経津主大神（ふつぬしのおおかみ）」 –
Renowned as a deity of martial arts and victory, the god is believed to bestow blessings for “opening a new path” and bringing “good fortune in victory” during life’s turning points or when embarking on something new.
A treasure trove of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties – 国宝・重要文化財の宝庫 –
National Treasure “Mirror with Sea Creatures and Grapevine Patterns” – 国宝「海獣葡萄鏡（かいじゅうぶどうきょう）」 –
An extremely valuable mirror is housed here—one counted among the “Three Great Mirrors of Japan,” alongside treasures such as those of the Shosoin Repository. It is usually possible to view the object at the Treasure Hall, but I understand that a precise replica is displayed there instead of the actual item.。
Main Hall and Tower Gate: The current Main Hall and Tower Gate. – 本殿・楼門：現在の本殿と楼門 –
It was built in 1700 by Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the fifth Tokugawa shogun, and has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
Keystone (Kaname-ishi) – 要石（かなめいし） –
It is a mysterious “power spot” featuring a sacred stone said to possess the power to contain earthquakes; legend has it that this stone is connected underground to the *Kaname-ishi* (Keystone) at Kashima Shrine.
There is even a story that Mito Komon (Tokugawa Mitsukuni) attempted to excavate it but gave up halfway because it was too deep.
Please check the official website for details. Katori Jingu Shrine [香取神宮]: Katori City, Chiba Prefecture; the head shrine of approximately 400 Katori shrines nationwide. HP [A PDF map of the grounds of Katori Shrine is available.]
Katori Jingu Shrine Precincts Map – 香取神宮 境内案内図 –
Katori Jingu Shrine Shopping Association – 香取神宮 商店会 –
1 Kikkōdō [亀甲堂（きっこうどう）] | 2 Umenoya Honten [梅乃家本店（うめのやほんてん）] |
3 Eikian [栄亀庵 （えいきあん）] | 4 Dangoya [談小屋 （だんごや）] |
5 Katori Local Products Exhibition [香取物産展（かとりぶっさんてん）] | 6 Yumeya [夢屋（ゆめや）] |
7 Iwatate Honten [岩立本店（いわたてほんてん）] | 8 Uno Cafe [UNO cafe（うの カフェ）] |
9 Yoshikawaya [吉川屋（よしかわやう）] | 10 Kankō-tei [寒香亭（かんこうてい）] |
– Each store has irregular or fixed closing days. Please check the website or other sources for details. –
Katori Shrine’s vermilion-lacquered torii gate – 香取神宮 朱塗の大鳥居 –
After passing through the shopping street, you will find a large, vermilion-lacquered torii gate.
This is the second torii gate of Katori Jingu Shrine, located along the approach from Toriigashi; the vermilion of the gate harmonizes beautifully with the green of the surrounding ancient cedar trees.
It creates a beautiful landscape befitting the entrance to the sacred precinct that lies beyond.
The cherry blossoms are truly magnificent during the season, and it is said that many people visit Katori Jingu Shrine every year to see them.
Katori Jingu Shrine: Gravel-paved approach – 香取神宮 玉砂利の参道 –
It was a day that felt a bit hot, even in May—though I couldn’t tell if the relief came from the coolness of the tunnel of trees, or perhaps the airflow along the slight incline…
(;’∀’) As I passed beneath the vermilion *torii* gate, I felt as though I were being drawn in by something.
Enveloped by dense, towering trees and lined with stone lanterns, the approach to the shrine felt like another world.
The ground is covered with gravel, and you can hear the rustling of trees and the calls of birds.
Cherry blossom and maple trees are planted along both sides, offering different seasonal beauty—such as cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn foliage in the fall—which made me want to visit during those seasons as well.
Third Torii Gate / Main Gate (Vermilion-lacquered Gate) – 三之鳥居・総門（朱塗りの門） –
The torii gate in front of the main gate (a vermilion-painted gate) of Katori Shrine is called “San-no-Torii” (Third Torii Gate), and it is a stone Myojin-style torii gate made of gleaming white granite.
It was apparently donated by the citizens of Katori in 1998 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor’s reign.
The vermilion-painted main gate beyond the torii gate created a beautiful contrast.
The “Main Gate [総門]” marks the boundary of the sacred precinct.
Katori Shrine’s purification fountain (temizuya) – 香取神宮 手水舎（てみずや） –
It is located on the left side (just before the main gate) after you have walked along the approach to the shrine and passed through the main gate.
This is a historic building erected in 1940 (Showa 15).
In recent years—as part of the commemorative projects leading up to the Grand Festival scheduled for Reiwa 8—the vermilion lacquer and the painted details of the carvings have undergone a complete repainting, restoring the structure to a beautiful state.
Even though it was a weekday and there were few people around, it is a tourist spot where visitors are constantly arriving, so I felt a bit nervous as I purified my body and mind.
(;^ω^) I still cannot perform the etiquette gracefully.
Click here for a post on how to visit and pray at the shrine.
Katori Jingu Shrine Rōmon Gate [Important Cultural Property] – 香取神宮 楼門（ろうもん）[重要文化財] –
It was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1983.
It was a magnificent multi-storied gate constructed in the pure traditional Japanese style and finished with vermilion lacquer.
The roof is currently a copper-sheeted *irimoya* (half-hipped) style, but originally it was *tochibuki [栩葺き（とちぶき）]* (split-cedar shingle roofing).
*Tochibuki [栩葺き（とちぶき）] (cedar-shingle roofing) = A traditional Japanese roofing method in which wood—such as Sawara cypress or Japanese cedar—is processed into boards (known as *tochi-ita*) approximately 1 to 3 cm thick, then layered and fastened together using bamboo nails.
The balance between the upper and lower levels is superb, making it the iconic structure of Katori Jingu Shrine.
The *Zuijin* (guardian figures) enshrined within the *Romon* gate are known as the Minister of the Left and the Minister of the Right; however, the elderly figure on the right (when facing the gate) is said to represent Takenouchi no Sukune, while the figure of a man in his prime on the left is said to represent Fujiwara no Kamatari.
The plaque reading “Katori Jingu” above the gate was calligraphed by Heihachiro Togo, the hero who led Japan to victory in the Russo-Japanese War; while there appear to be many other highlights, I was satisfied just seeing the gate itself and did not explore the site in detail.
Katori Shrine Old Amulet Collection Point – 香取神宮 古神札納所 –
It is located to the front right of the two-story gate.
Old *ofuda* (talismans) and *omamori* (amulets) can be returned at any time throughout the year. Please note that dolls, stuffed animals, and non-combustible items (such as glass or metal objects) are not accepted.
Application period: Accepted year-round (including times other than the New Year holidays).
Reception hours: Same as the amulet/talisman counter (8:30–17:00)
Items that can be returned: Sacred talismans (ofuda), amulets (omamori), etc., from Katori Jingu Shrine.
Note: Dolls, stuffed animals, and non-combustible items are not accepted.
Katori Shrine Gift Shop – 香取神宮 授与所 –
The *juyo-sho* (office for sacred items) at Katori Jingu, located right next to the *haiden* (main worship hall), is where you can obtain amulets and *goshuin* (temple or shrine seals).
Standard business hours are 8:30 to 17:00.
Katori Jingu Shrine Goshuin-cho (Stamp Book) – 香取神宮 御朱印帳 –
The original Goshuin-cho (stamp book) at Katori Jingu Shrine costs 2,000 yen (including the fee for the Goshuin stamp).
Several designs are available, including one with a navy blue base featuring the company’s crest, the five-seven paulownia, and Japanese clouds (on the right), and another with a design depicting a phoenix and lion in red and black (on the left).
As of late May 2026, the red and black Goshuin-cho (temple seal book) was out of stock.
*Comes with a vinyl cover.
Katori Jingu Goshuin (Shrine Seal) – 香取神宮 御朱印 –
千葉県香取市の香取神宮では、通常の「香取神宮」のほか、「奥宮」や「要石（かなめいし）」など複数の御朱印がいただけます。
季節や祭事に合わせた限定の御朱印も頒布されています。
御朱印の初穂料（料金）は各500円で、授与所にて受付時間は8:30〜17:00となっています。
私はシンプルな「香取神宮」をいただきました。
Summary – 総括 –
All I knew was that Katori Jingu, located in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, is the head shrine of all Katori shrines. When I visited, I was overwhelmed by the depth of its history and its atmosphere.
I had planned to get a new *goshuin-cho* (stamp book) specifically for shrine visits—a red-and-black design featuring a phoenix and a lion—but to my surprise, it was out of stock, likely due to its popularity.
Taking this as a sign of a special connection, I obtained a navy-blue *goshuin-cho* (temple seal book) featuring a design of the “5-7 Paulownia” crest—the shrine’s emblem—and stylized Japanese clouds.
It wasn’t just about receiving the *goshuin* (shrine seal); there was so much to see. While researching for this post, I realized there were still things I had missed, so I decided I would definitely visit again.
The Kagura-den (former worship hall) [神楽殿（旧拝殿）], the sacred tree [御神木], the Three Cedars [三本杉], the Komon Cherry Tree [黄門桜], the Kaname-ishi (Keystone)[要石], and more…
In addition, the shopping district had many other appealing food options, such as handmade soba noodle shops, dango (rice dumplings), and warabi mochi (bracken starch dumplings).
I visited on a weekday in late May, but I imagine it gets very crowded on weekends and public holidays.
Festivals and year-round events are likely to be very crowded, so please check the Katori Jingu Shrine website for details.
Katori Jingu Shrine [香取神宮]: Katori City, Chiba Prefecture; the head shrine of approximately 400 Katori shrines nationwide. HP
Lastly
The area is lush with greenery and features a sacred pond; it has been developed with a focus on preserving nature, though there are some spots where mosquitoes are plentiful.
I’m particularly prone to getting bitten, so I always keep insect repellent in my car and spray it liberally on my neck, arms, and legs before heading to the temple.
They come in various types—including options for sensitive skin—so I think it’s worth having one on hand.
Thank you for watching.
