20 Shrines in Ibaraki worth your time

Suzume Shrine is a historic shrine with important cultural properties, worth visiting for its architecture and sacred tree.

What it is

• Founded during Emperor Sujin's reign or in 859-877.
• Enshrines Oonamuchi-no-mikoto, Sukunahikona-no-mikoto, and Kotoshironushi-no-mikoto.
• Received reverence from successive Koga Kubo families.
• Designated a local shrine in 1872.

What to see

• Current main hall built in 1605 by Matsudaira Yasunaga.
• Shrine buildings are designated cultural properties of Koga City.
• Sacred zelkova tree called Meoto Keyaki.
• Akado Shinden Lion Dance is a designated cultural property.
• Lion dance lion heads are designated tangible folk cultural properties.

When to go

• Annual festivals include New Year, Setsubun, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.

Getting there

• About a 19-minute walk from Koga Station.

Address

茨城県古河市宮前町4番地52 Map

Read more about Suzume Shrine

A historic Shinto shrine in Mito featuring a 16th-century main hall and a massive ancient ginkgo tree.

What it is

• Founded in 1592 by Satake Yoshinobu to enshrine the three Hachiman deities.
• Served as the general guardian shrine for the entire Mito region.
• Designated as one of the 100 Landscapes of Ibaraki.
• Known as a guardian site for people born in Dog and Boar zodiac years.

What to see

• The main hall built in 1598 is a National Important Cultural Property.
• A massive Ohatsuki Ginkgo tree designated as a National Natural Monument.
• Traditional architecture restored to its historical appearance in 1998.

When to go

• The annual grand festival is held every year on April 15th.
• Visit during the Mito Hydrangea Festival to see blooms on the grounds.

Read more about Mito Hachimangū

A historic shrine in Hitachi City featuring a clear natural spring designated as a prefectural historic site.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to the deity Amanohayatama-hime-no-mikoto.
• Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho records of important shrines.
• Grounds cover approximately 3,917 square meters in Ibaraki Prefecture.
• The site contains the Izumigamori spring, identified in ancient village records.

What to see

• The Izumigamori spring with a circumference of about 40 meters.
• A main hall rebuilt in 1961 using reinforced concrete.
• Historic grounds designated as an Ibaraki Prefectural Historic Site.

When to go

• The annual festival is held on May 3rd.

Getting there

• Located one kilometer northeast of Omika Station.

Read more about Izumi Shrine

Ancient Kumano Shrine, founded in 1394, offers a glimpse into traditional architecture and sacred forests.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 1394 by the Shimanami clan.
• Dedicated to Izanagi-no-mikoto, Izanami-no-mikoto, and Susanoo-no-mikoto.
• Rebuilt in 1659 with support from Shinjo Naoyoshi.
• Renamed Kumano Shrine in 1870.

What to see

• Main hall is a designated cultural property.
• Main hall is of ikkensha nagare-zukuri style.
• Main hall has a copper plate roof.
• Surrounding evergreen broadleaf forest is a designated special area.

When to go

• Annual festival is on November 23rd.
• Omorikae Shinto rituals are on January 1st.
• Omorikae Shinto rituals are on June 23rd.

Getting there

• 17 minutes by car from Itako Station.

Address

茨城県行方市島並1298 Map

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Visit this ancient shrine, one of Japan's three great Tenjin shrines, for its historical art.

What it is

• A shrine in Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Founded in 929.
• Sugawara no Michizane's remains were interred here.
• One of the "Three Great Tenjin Shrines of Japan."

What to see

• Painting of Gobyotenjin, a prefectural cultural property.
• Painting of Mikitenjin, a prefectural cultural property.
• Picture scroll of Kitano Tenjin Engi, a prefectural cultural property.
• Painting of Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry, a prefectural cultural property.
• Painting of Eleven-faced Kannon, a city cultural property.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from Mitsukaido Station.
• Community bus stop located at the shrine.

Address

茨城県常総市大生郷町1234 Map

Read more about Onogo Tenmangu

Shizu Shrine is a historic site in Ibaraki, housing important cultural properties and deities.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha and Hitachi Province Ninomiya shrine.
• Dedicated to Takehazuchi-no-mikoto and other deities.
• Its crest is 'Maru ni Sakura' (cherry blossom in a circle).
• Designated a prefectural shrine under the modern system.

What to see

• Main hall, worship hall, and tower gate, rebuilt in Tenpo era.
• A bronze seal, designated an Important Cultural Property.
• Thirty-five painted paper scrolls of the Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry.
• A large drum, Jin-daiko, a Naka City cultural property.

Getting there

• 1.5km from Shizu Station on the JR Suigun Line.

Address

茨城県那珂市静2 Map

Read more about Shizu Shrine

A historic shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu featuring Japan's oldest armored oxcart and reconstructed mid-century architecture.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded in 1621 by Tokugawa Yorifusa.
• Dedicated to the primary deity Tokugawa Ieyasu and secondary deity Tokugawa Yorifusa.
• Commonly known by the local name Gongen-san.
• Reconstructed in 1962 after the original buildings were destroyed in World War II.

What to see

• The Anshinsha, which is the oldest armored oxcart in Japan.
• A sword signed by Norikane designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• The main shrine buildings rebuilt in the mid-twentieth century.
• An office building containing a ceremony hall and conference rooms.

Official site

gongensan-mito-toshogu.jp

Read more about Mito Tōshō-gū

Yūkisuwa Shrine: ancient shrine with cultural properties, worth visiting for history and traditional dance.

What it is

• Also known as Kamiyamakawa Suwa Shrine.
• Founded by Fujiwara Hidesato in 940.
• Dedicated to Takeminakata no Mikoto and Kotoshironushi no Mikoto.
• Fujiwara Hidesato prayed for victory here.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in the Muromachi period.
• Main hall is a City Designated Cultural Property.
• Iron arrowheads are City Designated Cultural Properties.
• Six items used by Emperor Meiji are City Designated Cultural Properties.
• Daidai Kagura is a Prefectural Designated Cultural Property.

When to go

• Daidai Kagura consists of 12 dances.

Address

茨城県結城市大字上山川161-1 Map

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Ancient shrine dedicated to a thunder god, featuring historic buildings and a unique atmosphere.

What it is

• Founded in 931, dedicated to Wake Ikazuchi no Okami.
• One of the Kanto San Raijin (Three Thunder Gods of Kanto).
• Deity associated with rain and protection from lightning.
• Designated an Ibaraki Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1714, covered by a copper-plated building.
• Worship hall, Kagura-den, and corridor rebuilt in 1879.
• Monument to Takegaki Naoharu on the grounds.
• Location for filming TV dramas and movies.

When to go

• Annual festival held on the third Saturday and Sunday of April.

Address

茨城県つくば市上郷8320 Map

Read more about Kanamura Wake Ikazuchi Shrine

Ancient Kamo-Ōkami-miko-kami-nushi-tama Shrine: see historic buildings and scrolls, attend summer or autumn festivals.

What it is

• Ancient Shinto shrine, founded by 850 AD.
• Dedicated to Wakeikazuchi-no-kami and other deities.
• Identified with the Shikinaisha 'Kamo-Ōkami-miko-kami-nushi Shrine'.

What to see

• Main hall (Honden) is a city cultural property.
• 336 scrolls of Daibanya-haramita-kyō are a prefectural cultural property.
• Several auxiliary shrines are on the grounds.

When to go

• Gion Matsuri festival is held July 24-26.
• Reitaisai festival is held November 14-15.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Haguro Station.

Address

茨城県桜川市加茂部694 Map

Read more about Kamo-Ōkami-miko-kami-nushi-tama Shrine

Yorimasa Shrine honors a samurai, offering a glimpse into local history and cultural artifacts.

What it is

• Dedicated to the samurai Minamoto no Yorimasa.
• One theory: founded in 1677 by Doi Toshimasa.
• Another theory: established in 1696 by Matsudaira Nobuteru.
• Relocated in 1912 due to river improvement work.

What to see

• Main hall stands on the Kannonji Kuruwa earthwork.
• Hachiman Shrine, Suijinsha, and Otori Shrine are auxiliary shrines.
• Excavated artifacts from Tatsuzaki Kofun are cultural properties.
• A chozubachi and two stone lanterns are cultural properties.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Koga Station.

Address

茨城県古河市錦町9-5 Map

Read more about Yorimasa Shrine

Ancient shrine founded by Yamato Takeru, home to a massive 1200-year-old cedar tree.

What it is

• Also called Shimonimiya Chikatsu Shrine.
• Founded by Yamato Takeru.
• Shrine building constructed in 707.

What to see

• Hoko Sugi tree is a designated natural monument.
• Tree is 43 meters tall, 9.6 meters trunk circumference.
• Hoko Sugi tree is over 1200 years old.

When to go

• Rice Planting Festival held annually on summer solstice.
• Festival practiced since the mid-Edo period.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Shimonomiya Station.
• Shimonomiya Station is on the JR Suigun Line.

Address

茨城県久慈郡大子町下野宮1626 Map

Read more about Chikatsu Shrine

One of Japan's Great Inari Shrines, known for its history and autumn chrysanthemum festival.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Ukanomitama-no-mikoto.
• One of Japan's Three Great Inari Shrines.
• Founded on April 9th.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1860.
• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Large torii gate completed in 2016.
• Torii gate painted in Kasama Vermilion.
• Designated as one of the 100 Landscapes of Ibaraki.

When to go

• Annual festival on April 9th.
• Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival from mid-October to late November.

Address

茨城県笠間市笠間39番地 Map

Official site

www.kasama.or.jp

Read more about Kasama Inari Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is a historic site in Tsuchiura, revered by local lords, with cultural properties and a summer festival.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Ugami-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto.
• Known as Gozu Tenno-sha during the Edo period.
• Revered by the Tsuchiya clan, lords of Tsuchiura Domain.
• Merged with Haguro Shrine in 1913.

What to see

• Main hall, worship hall, and heiden are cultural properties.
• Main hall roof displays the 'Mitsuiwa' family crest.
• The sacred object is a statue of Gozu Tenno.
• Located on the edge of the Niihari plateau.

When to go

• Annual festival is held for four days in late July.

Address

茨城県土浦市真鍋5丁目9番1号 Map

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Visit this historic shrine founded in 1446, home to a great ginkgo and ancient documents.

What it is

• A shrine associated with the Koga Kubo.
• Dedicated to Hondawake no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, and Homusubi no Mikoto.
• Founded in 1446 by Ashikaga Shigeuji.
• Moved to its current location in 1642 by Doi Toshikatsu.

What to see

• The main hall, repaired in 1914, with a copper plate roof.
• Hoshi no Miya Shrine, a subordinate shrine.
• The Great Ginkgo of Hachiman Shrine, a natural monument.
• Ashikaga Takamoto's letter, an ancient document.

Getting there

• 9-minute walk from Koga Station.

Address

茨城県古河市本町2-15-15 Map

Read more about Hachiman Shrine

Ancient mountain shrine with unique history, dedicated to 737 deities.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine on Mount Kabasan, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Founded on ancient mountain worship traditions.
• Dedicated to Kuninotokotachi-no-Mikoto and other deities.
• Was a Shingon Buddhist temple until the Meiji era.

What to see

• Main hall on a ridge north of the summit.
• Worship halls at the eastern and western foothills.
• Propeller from a 1962 plane crash near a worship hall.

When to go

• Kiseru Festival on the first Sunday of September.
• Festival celebrates the tobacco harvest.

Address

中宮本殿・拝殿 - 茨城県石岡市大塚字加波山1 八郷拝殿 - 茨城県石岡市大塚字加波山2399 真壁拝殿 - 茨城県桜川市真壁町長岡891 Map

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Ōu Shrine is a historic site in Ibaraki, with ancient structures and a significant tree grove.

What it is

• Dedicated to the deity Takemikazuchi-no-ogami.
• Formerly ranked as a Gōsha shrine.
• Main hall constructed in 1590.

What to see

• Main hall is a prefectural cultural property.
• Worship hall and saiden are city cultural properties.
• Tree grove is a prefectural natural monument.
• Ōu Kofun Group has over 110 burial mounds.
• Kofun Group dates to the 5th century.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on November 15th.
• Ōu Shrine Miko-mai ritual is an intangible cultural property.

Address

茨城県潮来市大生814 Map

Read more about Ōu Shrine

Atago Shrine is a historic fire prevention shrine, worth visiting for its unique architecture and summer festival.

What it is

• Dedicated to Kagutsuchinokami, a deity of fire.
• Known as a god of fire prevention.
• Founded during the Tenkei era (938-947).
• Called Atago Gongen during the Edo period.

What to see

• Main shrine building rebuilt in 1811.
• Main shrine is a designated cultural property.
• Thatched, hip-and-gable roof on the main shrine.
• Main shrine and worship hall are one integrated structure.

When to go

• Gion Festival held in the summer.
• Two to three floats participate in the festival.

Address

茨城県土浦市下高津2丁目8番1号 Map

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Kamine Shrine is a historic site with unique cultural heritage, offering insight into local traditions.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Izanagi-no-mikoto, Izanami-no-mikoto, and Kumanu-no-kusuhi-no-mikoto.
• Relocated to Mount Kamine's summit in 1688.
• Became general guardian of Miyata, Aise, and Sukegawa in 1695.

What to see

• Sato-miya's integrated main hall and worship hall.
• Oku-no-miya's shrine building, constructed in 1916.
• Large floats used in the grand festival.

When to go

• Grand festival features doll play using large floats.
• Festival is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Address

茨城県日立市宮田町5-1-1 Map

Official site

kaminezinzya.org

Read more about Kamine Shrine

Oldest Hachimangū in Kanto, this shrine offers important cultural properties and a unique sumo ring.

What it is

• Oldest Hachimangū shrine in the Kanto region.
• Founded in 701 by Fujiwara no Tokitada.
• A prefectural shrine, also known as Shimotsuma-gu.

What to see

• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Zuikasōchō Hachiryōkyō is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Bronze bell is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Dugout canoe is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Jūniza Kagura is a Municipal Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
• A sumo ring was built in 2001.

Address

茨城県下妻市大宝667 Map

Read more about Daihō-hachimangū