LOS ANGELES — The Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America will host an Online Memorial Service (Irei-sai) honoring the victims of major earthquakes and tsunamis, including the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, as well as other modern-era disasters worldwide.
The memorial ceremony will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM Pacific Time, and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
The ceremony invites participants from around the world to join in prayer for the peace of the spirits of those who lost their lives, and to offer support and remembrance for the families affected by these tragedies. In addition to the 2011 disaster in the Tōhoku region of Japan, the service will also commemorate victims of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, the 2024 Noto Earthquake, and all others impacted by earthquakes and tsunamis globally.
The Irei-sai will be conducted in accordance with traditional Shinto practices and is intended to provide an experience equivalent to attending a memorial ceremony at a Shinto shrine. Viewers are encouraged to participate respectfully from their own locations by observing customary shrine etiquette.
Participants may join the livestream via the Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America’s official YouTube channel: YouTube Livestream:
Recommended Participation Guidelines
- Wear respectful attire such as collared shirts, slacks, skirts, or dresses
- Perform Temizu (ritual purification by washing hands and mouth) prior to the ceremony
- Face the direction of Los Angeles, California, USA during prayer
- Refrain from eating, drinking, or talking during the service
- Silence or turn off mobile phones
- Follow the priest’s instructions for bowing and prayer
- Offer a donation to the Saisen (offertory) box if desired
This online memorial service provides an opportunity for global participation in remembrance, reflection, and prayer, transcending geographic boundaries while preserving the dignity and traditions of Shinto ceremonial practice.
