20 Shrines in Akita worth your time

A historic shrine in Akita housing a National Treasure mirror that is publicly displayed for only one hour each year.

What it is

• Founded in 1677 by Kusunagi Rizaemon in Daisen City.
• Dedicated to a mirror engraved with a Thousand-armed Kannon found during canal construction.
• The primary deity is a National Treasure dating back to the Heian period.

What to see

• The sacred engraved mirror is the central treasure of the site.
• Four large cedar trees designated as city natural monuments stand on the grounds.
• A replica of the historic mirror is displayed at the Nakasen Civic Center.
• The shrine grounds include a parking lot for those traveling by car.

When to go

• The annual festival takes place every year on August 17.
• The sacred mirror is publicly displayed for exactly one hour during the festival.

Getting there

• The nearest train station is Ugo-Nagano Station on the Tazawako Line.

Read more about Suijin Shrine

Subari Shrine, a millennium-old site, enshrines a fierce deity and offers a unique waterfall experience.

What it is

• Small shrine, over a millennium old.
• Enshrines a statue of Buddhist deity Fudō Myō-ō.
• Origins are unclear, possibly founded by Abe clan.
• Rebuilt multiple times, most recently in 1938.

What to see

• Fierce-looking statue of Fudō Myō-ō.
• Shrine buildings in gongen-zukuri architectural style.
• Worship hall and main sanctuary connected under one roof.
• Fudō Falls, a 30-meter high plunge waterfall.
• Path passing Subari Dam hydroelectric power station.
• Moss-covered rocks near the waterfall.

When to go

• Festival held annually on July 28.
• Statue of Fudō Myō-ō visible to public during festival.

Getting there

• Located next to Subari Dam.
• Fudō Falls is a few minutes’ walk west of the shrine.

Address

秋田県山本郡藤里町粕毛字岩合2 Map

Read more about Subari Shrine

A historic shrine on former castle grounds hosting a major cultural festival recognized for its intangible folk heritage.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami.
• Founded in 1620 by Kawaguchi Sojiro to guard the town of Tsuchizaki Minato.
• The site occupies the former grounds of Dewaminato Castle.
• Ranked as a prefectural shrine in 1881.

What to see

• The main shrine grounds featuring Okuninushi Shrine and Nishinomiya Shrine.
• Traditional Hikiyama festival floats during the annual July celebrations.
• A dedicated parking lot area for visitors arriving by car.

When to go

• July 20 and 21 for the annual Hikiyama festival.
• January 1 to observe the traditional New Year festival.

Getting there

• A two-minute walk from JR Tsuchizaki Station.

Official site

tsuchizakishinnmeisha.or.jp

Read more about Tsuchizaki Shinmeisha

Ancient mountainside shrine in Akita, home to important cultural properties and a unique Kagura dance.

What it is

• One of three Shikinaisha shrines in Akita Prefecture.
• Founded in 757 on the mountainside of Mt. Horowa.
• Enshrines Emperor Ankan and Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• The Ohtomo family has served as chief priest since founding.

What to see

• The Kagura-den is a National Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Shimotsuki Kagura of Mt. Horowa is held on November 7.
• Shimotsuki Kagura is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 35 minutes by car from Omagari Station.
• 20 minutes from Omagari IC via Route 105.
• 30 minutes from Yokote-kita SIC via Prefectural Road 29.

Address

秋田県横手市大森町八沢木字保呂羽山1-1 Map

Read more about Horowasan Haushiwake Shrine

This shrine, dedicated to Lake Tazawa's dragon guardian, is notable for its unique torii gate and legendary natural features.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Tatsuko-hime-no-kami, dragon guardian of Lake Tazawa.
• Established October 17, 1911, by the Sannojo family.
• Commemorates Satake Yoshitaka's 1650 visit to Lake Tazawa.

What to see

• Vermillion-lacquered torii gate affixed to the Goza-no-ishi rock.
• Goza-no-ishi rock, a large flat rock resembling a mat.
• Nanairo-gi, the “Seven-Colored Tree,” with seven species from one trunk.
• Katagashira-no-reisen, the “Miraculous Spring of Katagashira.”
• Kagami-ishi, the “mirror rock,” where Tatsuko admired her reflection.
• Statue of Tatsuko with the lower half of her body as a dragon.

Read more about Gozanoishi Shrine

Karamatsu Shrine is a historic site in Akita, revered for women's well-being and cultural properties.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Okina Tarashihime no Mikoto and Kagutsuchi no Kami.
• Guardian deity for women's lives, matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth.
• Revered by the Onodera and Satake clans.
• Once the 18th stop on the Akita Rokugun Sanjusan Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Oku-den is an Akita Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Wooden lion head is an Akita Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Cedar avenue is an Akita Prefectural Natural Monument.
• Jagan Kagura is a Daisen City Intangible Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR Ugo-Sakai Station.

Address

秋田県大仙市協和境字下台84 Map

Read more about Karamatsu Shrine

Tsuzureko Shrine is a historic site known for its big drum festival and ancient tree.

What it is

• Formerly Hachiman Shrine, renamed in 1910.
• Enshrines Hachimanyama Okami and sixteen other deities.
• Known for the Tsuzureko Big Drum dedication event.
• The drum event has over 700 years of history.

What to see

• The Tsuzureko Big Drum, an intangible folk cultural property.
• Naiyakata Bunko ruins, a historic site.
• The shrine's Millennium Katsura tree, a natural monument.

When to go

• Annual festival held on July 14th and 15th.

Getting there

• About a 15-minute taxi ride from Takanosu Station.
• A 5-minute walk from the Tsuzureko bus stop.

Address

秋田県北秋田市綴子字西館47 Map

Read more about Tsuzureko Shrine

Taiheizan-Miyoshi Shrine: a mountain worship site with historical buildings and seasonal festivals.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to mountain worship.
• Founded in 673 by En no Ozuno.
• Enshrines Onamuchi no kami, Sukunabikona no Okami, and Miyoshi Okami.
• Miyoshi Okami is a god of strength, victory, and warding off evil.

What to see

• A sato-miya (lower shrine) at the foot of Mt. Taihei.
• An oku-miya (upper shrine) at the summit of Mt. Taihei.
• A shrine building constructed in 801 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• The current sato-miya built by Satake Yoshiatsu.

When to go

• Miyoshi Bonten Festival is held on January 17th.
• Spring Grand Festival is held on May 8th.

Address

秋田県秋田市広面字赤沼3-2 Map

Read more about Taiheizan-Miyoshi Shrine

Takaiwa Shrine is a historic mountainside shrine with unique architecture and ancient trees.

What it is

• Shrine founded by Ennin during the Ten'an era (857-859).
• It is the 29th site of the Akita Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Shrine built in the kakezukuri or butaizukuri style.
• Dedicated to Benten, Kongokai Dainichi Nyorai, and Taizokai Dainichi Nyorai.

What to see

• A five-ring pagoda from the late Kamakura to early Muromachi period.
• A large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 800 years old.
• A large cedar tree, Nanameguri-sugi, estimated to be 550 years old.
• A Sue ware keikyo, a prefectural tangible cultural property.
• A framed 'Takaiwa-san' dedicated in 1794.

Address

秋田県能代市二ツ井町荷上場字五輪岱23番 Map

Read more about Takaiwa Shrine

Ōhirumemuchi Shrine: a historic shrine in Akita, known for its large building and ancient bugaku dances.

What it is

• Also called Ōnidō.
• Founded during Emperor Keitai's reign.
• Rebuilt in 718 by the monk Gyōki.
• Dedicated to Amaterasu Sumerōkami and Kisshōhime no Mikoto.

What to see

• One of the largest shrine buildings in Akita Prefecture.
• Shrine building has space for bugaku performances.
• One Itabi, a Kazuno City Tangible Cultural Property.

When to go

• January 2nd for the annual festival.
• See Ōnidō Bugaku, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Address

〒018-5141　秋田県鹿角市八幡平字堂の上16 Map

Read more about Ōhirumemuchi Shrine

Shinzan Shrine is a historic site in Oga, known for its unique winter festival and ancient tree.

What it is

• A shrine in Oga City, Akita Prefecture.
• Formerly Akagami-yama Kōhan-ji Temple in the Edo period.
• Became Shinzan Shrine due to anti-Buddhist movement in Meiji.
• Enshrines Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto.

What to see

• An over 1100-year-old kaya tree, a natural monument.
• Goshaden and Kyuden, tangible cultural properties.
• Goshaden's interior has three rooms.

When to go

• The Namahage Sedo Festival is held annually in February.

Address

秋田県男鹿市北浦字真山字水喰沢97 Map

Official site

www.namahage.ne.jp

Read more about Shinzan Shrine

This shrine offers rare ancient dances and a unique rock-carved Buddha.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo no Mikoto.
• Rebuilt in 1574 as Amaterasu Sumemioya Shrine.
• Designated a village shrine in 1873.

What to see

• Rock-carved Buddha is a prefectural historic site.
• It is the northernmost medieval example of its kind.

When to go

• Saki Harai Mai dance festival is on August 15-16.
• See the Godaison Mai dance, a UNESCO cultural heritage.
• See the Saki Harai Mai dance, a city cultural property.

Address

秋田県鹿角市八幡平字谷内14 Map

Read more about Amaterasu Sumemioya Shrine

Akagami Shrine, founded in 860, is a historic site with five important cultural properties.

What it is

• A shrine in Oga City, Akita Prefecture.
• Founded in 860 by Jikaku Daishi Ennin.
• Dedicated to Akagami-yama Okami.
• Also known as Akagami Shrine Goshado.

What to see

• Five Goshado buildings are important cultural properties.
• Current Goshado buildings were built in 1710.
• Shrine buildings are lined up horizontally.
• Central shrine is Akagami Gongen-do.
• Zushi inside the central hall dates from late Muromachi period.
• Enku's Eleven-faced Kannon is enshrined.

Address

秋田県男鹿市船川港本山門前字祓川35 Map

Read more about Akagami Shrine

Ancient shrine founded in 807, known for its unique Bonten Festival and cultural properties.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 807 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Current building constructed by Yokote Sadomori.
• Designated a village shrine in 1873.

What to see

• Main hall houses a sacred object and twelve Yakushi generals.
• Two divine statues are Akita Prefectural Cultural Properties.
• Seven cedar trees are a Yokote City Natural Monument.

When to go

• Bonten Festival is held annually on February 17th.
• Bonten competition has been held since 1959.

Address

秋田県横手市大沢字上庭当田123 Map

Read more about Asahiokayama Shrine

Dake Rokusho Shrine is an ancient small shrine with unique deities, worth visiting for its historical significance.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha, a small shrine.
• Founded around 701-704 AD.
• Considered the original site of Fukesawa Shrine.
• Enshrines Ota-no-mikoto, Okidama-no-mikoto, and others.

What to see

• A Hachiman Shrine is its auxiliary shrine.
• The Hachiman Shrine was founded around 810 AD.

When to go

• Bonten offering ritual on the third Sunday of March.

Getting there

• 45-minute walk from Atagoshita bus stop.

Address

秋田県大仙市神宮寺字落貝7 Map

Read more about Dake Rokusho Shrine

Yokote-shinmeisha is a historic shrine in Akita, enshrining important deities and housing a national treasure.

What it is

• A shrine in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.
• Established in 1716, moved to current site in 1880.
• Enshrines Amaterasu-Omikami and Toyouke-hime-no-Okami.
• Also enshrines Saru-tahiko-no-kami and Susanoo-no-kami.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines Sugawara-no-Okami.
• Bronze shakujo head is a national important cultural property.
• The bronze shakujo head is dated 1259.

When to go

• Grand festival is held on May 4th.

Address

秋田県横手市神明町7-2 Map

Read more about Yokote-shinmeisha

Hie-hachiman Shrine: a historic Akita shrine with unique architecture and cultural properties.

What it is

• Shrine founded in the Heian period.
• Moved to its current location in 1662.
• Rebuilt in 1778 after a fire.
• Became a prefectural shrine in the Meiji era.

What to see

• Wooden triple-tiered pagoda built in 1707.
• Main hall, worship hall, and dance stage are cultural properties.
• Main hall built in 1797.
• Statue of Motoori Norinaga in the main hall.
• Mix of Shinto and Buddhist architectural styles.

Address

秋田県秋田市八橋本町1丁目4-1 Map

Read more about Hie-hachiman Shrine

Tōko Yasaka Shrine, founded in 801, offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese religious history.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Founded in 801 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Relocated to its current site in 1060.
• Designated a prefectural shrine in 1881.

What to see

• Komainu statues created in 1845 and 1865.

When to go

• Tōnin event is a national intangible folk cultural asset.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Tenno Station.

Address

秋田県潟上市天王字天王106番地 Map

Read more about Tōko Yasaka Shrine

Santetsu Shrine honors a multi-talented Edo physician, offering unique dedications and historical significance.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Edo period physician Chiba Kazusanosuke Hidetane.
• Hidetane was also known as Santetsu.
• Founded on Santetsu Mountain in Odate City, Akita Prefecture.

What to see

• Water drawn by Santetsu for rinsing mouths.
• Fundoshi and geta dedicated at the shrine.
• Wooden hands and feet dedicated at the shrine.
• Monument to the inner sanctuary on Santetsu Mountain summit.

Address

秋田県大館市十二所字中岱227 Map

Read more about Santetsu Shrine

Rōken Shrine honors a legendary Matagi dog, offering unique dog statues and historical scrolls.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to a legendary Matagi dog.
• Founded to honor a hunting dog.
• Relocated multiple times throughout its history.

What to see

• Many dog statues, ema, and photos.
• Stone statue of Shiro, erected by locals.
• Two historical scrolls: Yamadate Kakei-maki and Menjo Shōmon.

When to go

• Grand festival on the 17th and 18th of the 4th lunar month.

Address

秋田県大館市十二所葛原 Map

Read more about Rōken Shrine