susa jinja

Susa Shrine, enshrined in Chida, Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture, is listed in the Engishiki as a Myojin Taisha — one of the most prestigious rankings in the ancient shrine registry. Its former social rank was prefectural shrine. The principal deity is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, celebrated for slaying the Yamata no Orochi and revered for warding off evil and disease. The shrine sits on the slopes of Nakaoyama Hill in southern Chida, facing south, and is affectionately called "Chida Shrine" or "Ochida-san" by locals. With Arida renowned for its mandarin orange cultivation, Susanoo's aspect as an agricultural deity has long made this shrine a spiritual anchor for the community.