Raiden Shrine

Raiden shrines enshrine deities associated with protection from lightning, prayers for rain, and bountiful harvests. They have long been common throughout northern Kanto, a region known for frequent thunderstorms. Many are located along the Tone River in Gunma and Tochigi Prefectures. The head shrine is Itakura Raiden Shrine in Itakura, Gunma Prefecture, which is said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku.

Raiden Shrine in Kiryu was built in 1677, during the early Edo period, atop Mount Raiden—now known as Mount Suido—at an elevation of 210 meters. Its enshrined deity is Honoikazuchi-no-Kami. For many years, it served as the guardian deity of successive generations of the family of Tsunemi Oki-no-Kami Dokan, a senior retainer of the Kiryu clan. During the Meiji era, the Tsunemi family relocated the shrine to its present site, where it became the community’s guardian shrine. The main sanctuary and large torii gate were renovated in 1984, followed by Zuihoden, the kagura hall, in 2012.

Located near JR Kiryu Station, the shrine is easy to spot by its large red torii gate towering beside the prefectural road. In addition to being known for protection from misfortune and lightning strikes, it has recently attracted attention amid the growing popularity of goshuin collecting for its distinctive goshuin shrine seal. Its simple yet stylish design combines brush calligraphy and the shrine’s seal with a bold stamp depicting the thunder god. The stamp is available in either vermilion or gold, and visitors also receive a colorful sticker featuring the thunder god with a gentle expression. Goshuin requests are accepted at the shrine office on the left side of the grounds, so stop by after paying your respects.

Part of the appeal of goshuin is that each one is unique. Even at the same temple or shrine, the result varies depending on who writes it, and no two are exactly alike—even when written by the same person. Receiving a one-of-a-kind goshuin imbued with the thunder god’s unfathomable power is sure to become a treasured memento.