A shrine in a forest with miraculous powers
The Ikisu Shrine in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, boasts a history spanning over 2,000 years. Together with the Kashima Jingu Grand Shrine (Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture) and the Katori Jingu Shrine (Katori City, Chiba Prefecture), it is known as one of the Togoku Sansha (Three Shrines of Eastern Japan) and has been worshipped since ancient times. The main deity is Kunado-no-kami, who is said to have the power to ward off evil, bring good fortune, and protect travelers. The two Oshioi wells on either side of the first Torii gate are said to bring good fortune for matchmaking. Each contains a bottle: an ogame (male bottle) and a megame (female bottle). In spring, the rare pale-green cherry blossoms of the Gyoikou variety bloom alongside the Ogatama trees, which are believed to bring good luck.
- 2882 Ikisu, Kamisu City, Ibaraki 314-0133 Japan
- • 10 minutes by taxi from Omigawa Station on the JR Narita Line
• About 15 minutes by car from the Itako IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway