Tsushima Shrine

A serene shrine built over a pond — the corridor leading to the main hall appears to float above water, giving it a unique character unlike any other in Aichi. It hosts the Tsushima Tenno Festival in July, considered one of Japan's three great water festivals with enormous lantern-lit boats drifting on the Mitsu River.

Location

Why Visit

• 1

  The shrine corridor appears to float directly over the surrounding pond — a quiet, ethereal setting

• 2

  Tsushima Tenno Festival in July features giant lantern boats on the river — one of Japan's top water festivals

• 3

  Less than an hour from Nagoya but visited by almost no foreign tourists

Local Tips

Tsushima Shrine is the head of all Gozuten shrines in Japan and home to the Owari Tsushima Tenno Festival — lantern boats on the Kiso River in June. The shrine buildings include important structures dating to the Edo period. Combine with Inuyama Castle (30 min by car) and Meiji Mura for a full western Aichi day.