In kamakura, there are about 180 churches, and the oldest of them is set back from the main tourist routes. The oldest Shinto Shrine in kamakura is located in a wooded area and is a small temple - Amanah Shinmei. It was built in 710 a year and devoted to the sun goddess Amaterasu, who is revered in Japan as the ancestress of the Imperial family, headed by a Pantheon of Shinto gods, represents the creative force, she is credited with the invention of the technology of cultivation of rice, silk and loom. It also protects agriculture.

It is considered that the circumstances of the founding of the Shrine has not been fully elucidated, despite the fact that the Church is an ancient document about its history. From this document it follows that financed the construction of a wealthy and influential resident of Kamakura Tokisada of Someya, and the founder of the temple is considered a priest named Gyoki, who also had to do with the construction of other temples – for example, Sugimoto-Dera temple in kamakura and Todai-JI temple in Nara.

The temple Amanova Shinmei Jinja Shrine is a smaller copy of another sanctuary in honor of Amaterasu - the great Shrine of ISE, where a pilgrimage many Japanese. Annually, 14-17 September, the Ministers of the house arrange a procession around the Shrine with a portable Shrine, mikoshi.

The temple complex consists of two buildings: Hayden hall for worshippers, and the main Shrine – the sanctum. Both buildings are built in an ancient architectural style Shinmei-zukuri, for which the characters of the decoration of the roof TIGI (overlapping planks) and Kazuaki – short logs lying on top at right angles.

The great kantō earthquake of 1923 destroyed the buildings of the temple, which were restored only in 1936, and the last reconstruction was only completed in 1998. Money for reconstruction were collected from members and volunteers.