Samukawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the city of Samukawa in southern Kanagawa. Located by the Sagami River, the walk to the shrine is full of bridges over the river and nearby streams. The exact origins of the shrine are unknown, the earliest written records talk about it being rebuilt in 727. Safe to say that it is in the group of some of the oldest shrines in Kanagawa and all of Japan. Open 24 hours, you can go any time of night or day to explore and/or pray.
- 1 min read
Samukawa Shrine
Shinto Shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture
![Andrea Kahlow Andrea Kahlow](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/41967805/240x240!/63ff0a8dd29a6c57870aed2e.jpg)
Community writer
![Main square of the shrine. The decorations are put up only around New Years.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138158/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138158.jpg)
Main square of the shrine. The decorations are put up only around New Years.
![Another view of the main square
](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138159/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138159.jpg)
Another view of the main square
![River and fields close to the shrine](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138157/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138157.jpg)
River and fields close to the shrine
![The side areas close by are full of street food vendors](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138160/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138160.jpg)
The side areas close by are full of street food vendors
![Main entrance to Samukawa Shrine](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138161/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138161.jpg)
Main entrance to Samukawa Shrine
![Lantern by the main entrance](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138162/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138162.jpg)
Lantern by the main entrance
![Main entrance gate
](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138163/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138163.jpg)
Main entrance gate
![River close to the shrine](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/26099-138164/1000/kanagawa-samukawa-shrine-138164.jpg)
River close to the shrine
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Join the discussion
Peter Sidell
8 years ago
Nice! I live just down the road, but I've never made it up there - I should go sometime.
Victoria Vlisides
8 years ago
Good to know it's open 24 hours. Thanks, Andrea!
Peter Sidell
8 years ago
I think a lot of shrines are always open :) Last time I went to Kyoto I wandered round Yaska-jinja late at night, and it was very cool and atmospheric.
3 comments in total
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