20 Shrines in Iwate worth your time

A guardian shrine of a steelworks, preserving unique iron artifacts from Japan's industrial past.

What it is

• Guardian shrine of Nippon Steel Kamaishi Works.
• Originated from a relocation of Hachiman Shrine.
• Moved to Ogawa-cho in July 1963.
• Shrine building donated by the Tanaka family.

What to see

• Iron votive tablet from 1894 is a city cultural property.
• Tablet cast from Japan's first coke pig iron.
• Kamaishi Mining Sanjinja Stone Monument is a cultural property.
• Monument has an inscription from November 1857.

When to go

• Annual festival held jointly with Ozaki Shrine.
• Festival includes a 'Hikifune Matsuri' on the middle day.

Address

岩手県釜石市桜木町1-5-1 Map

Read more about Nippon Steel Corporation North Nippon Works San Shrine

Osaki Shrine is a historic site in Iwate Prefecture, known for its deities and cultural properties.

What it is

• A shrine in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Dedicated to deities Yamato Takeru and Heii Yorimoto.
• Received the title of Daimyojin in 1719.
• Received the court rank of Shoichii in 1799.

What to see

• Four shrines: Hongu, Okumiya, Okunoin, and Satomiya.
• Shoichii Osaki Daimyojin Hengaku, a cultural property.
• Cast iron sacred sword, a cultural property.
• Cast iron Hengaku, a cultural property.

When to go

• Kamaishi Festival, with Kamaishi Seitetsu-sho Yamagami Shrine.
• The festival includes the Hikifune Festival.

Address

岩手県釜石市平田7-130 Map

Read more about Osaki Shrine

Kuromori Shrine preserves ancient lion masks and performs traditional Kagura dance.

What it is

• A shrine on Mount Kuromori, 310.5 meters above sea level.
• Formerly called Kuromori Gongen-sha before the Meiji era.
• It enshrined Senju Kannon.

What to see

• Many lion heads, called Gongen-sama, are preserved.
• Lion heads are designated cultural properties of Iwate Prefecture.
• Iron bowls from 1334 remain.
• Ridge tags from the Muromachi period exist.
• Esoteric Buddhist ritual implements from the Nara period were excavated.

When to go

• Kuromori Kagura, an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, is performed.

Address

岩手県宮古市大字山口第4地割132 Map

Read more about Kuromori Shrine

Mitake Shrine is a historic site with a beautiful worship hall, worth visiting for its cultural significance.

What it is

• A shrine in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Established during the Tensho era (1573-1592).
• Dedicated to Onamuchi-no-mikoto, Konohanasakuya-hime, and Sukunahikona-no-mikoto.
• Designated a village shrine in 1871.

What to see

• The worship hall, a designated cultural property.
• The worship hall, built in 1786.
• A wooden, single-story worship hall.
• The worship hall features a hip-and-gable roof.
• The worship hall uses zelkova wood.

Getting there

• A 30-minute walk from Nitsunai Station.

Address

岩手県花巻市西宮野目12-92 Map

Read more about Mitake Shrine

Oomiya Shrine: ancient guardian shrine with unique cultural properties, worth visiting for history and traditions.

What it is

• Ancient shrine in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Founded during the Enryaku era (782-806).
• Originates from the outer shrine of Ise Jingu.
• Served as a guardian shrine for Shiwa Castle.

What to see

• A designated tangible cultural property: a waniguchi.
• Oomiya Kagura, an intangible folk cultural property.

When to go

• Known for Oomiya Kagura and Taga Kagura performances.

Getting there

• Take an Iwate Ken Kotsu bus.
• Get off at the Oomiya Jinja-mae bus stop.

Address

岩手県盛岡市本宮字大宮51 Map

Read more about Oomiya Shrine (morioka)

Morioka Hachimangu is a historic Shinto shrine known for its festivals and sub-shrines.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Founded in 1062 by Minamoto no Yoshiie.
• Nambu Shigenobu enshrined Kushihiki Hachiman in 1680.

What to see

• The front torii gate, rebuilt in 2002.
• The old torii gate, built in 1763.
• Kasamori Inari Shrine on the grounds.
• Shinmei Shrine on the grounds.
• Iwate Gokoku Shrine on the grounds.

When to go

• Known for the Chagu Chagu Umakko festival.
• Known for the Morioka Sansa Festival.
• Known for the Yabusame Shinji festival.

Address

岩手県盛岡市八幡町13-1 Map

Official site

www.morioka8man.jp

Read more about Morioka Hachimangū

Tannaisan Shrine, a historic site in Iwate, offers a glimpse into local religious heritage.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Tanichihiko-no-kami and Amenominakanushi-no-kami.
• Formerly Daishoji Temple, renamed during the Meiji Restoration.
• Rebuilt by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• A hall for Fudo Myoo was built during the Jowa era.

What to see

• Main hall is an Iwate Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Main hall was built in 1810.
• Wooden Eleven-faced Kannon Standing Statue is a cultural property.
• Sutra mound is an Iwate Prefectural Monument.
• Miyaburi Kagura is a Hanamaki City Folk Cultural Property.

Address

岩手県花巻市東和町谷内2-303 Map

Read more about Tannaisan Shrine

Historic shrine in Iwate, home to cultural properties and a lively festival.

What it is

• Founded in the early Edo period.
• Enshrines Ukanomitama and Takeminakata deities.
• Designated a gōsha in 1943.

What to see

• Stone lanterns are tangible cultural properties.
• Water basin is a tangible cultural property.
• Oshira-sama is a tangible folk cultural property.

When to go

• Ōtsuchi Festival is held jointly with Kozuchi Shrine.

Getting there

• 7-minute drive from Ōtsuchi Interchange.
• 20-minute walk from Sanriku Railway Ōtsuchi Station.

Address

岩手県上閉伊郡大槌町安渡2丁目8-1 Map

Read more about Ōtsuchi Inari Shrine

Kozuchi Shrine is a historic shrine with important cultural properties, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 829.
• Dedicated to Yamato Takeru.
• Designated a Chinju by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi.
• Became a Gosha in 1946.

What to see

• Stone lantern from 1748 is a cultural property.
• Fir tree on the grounds is a natural monument.
• Gilt bronze Gozu Tenno statue is designated.

When to go

• Mikoshi crosses the Kozuchi River during festivals.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Sanriku Railway Rias Line Otsuchi Station.

Address

岩手県上閉伊郡大槌町上町2-16 Map

Official site

kozuchi-shrine.jimdofree.com

Read more about Kozuchi Shrine

Wakutsu Hachiman Shrine, founded in 1493, houses a rare 13th-century iron gorintō base.

What it is

• A shrine founded in 1493.
• Dedicated to Hondawake no Mikoto.
• Iwabuchi Minbu enshrined the spirit of Shō Hachiman.

What to see

• An iron gorintō base, an Important Cultural Property.
• The gorintō base is 106.0cm long and 78.2cm high.
• Two komainu are depicted on the base's front.
• Inscriptions are visible on both sides of the base.
• The gorintō was completed in 1268.

Getting there

• 20 minutes by car from Wakayanagi Kanari Interchange.

Address

岩手県一関市花泉町涌津字舘69番地 Map

Read more about Wakutsu Hachiman Shrine

Mikumano Shrine is a historic shrine founded in 802, known for its unique crying sumo ritual.

What it is

• Formal name is Kumano Shrine.
• Founded in 802 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Enshrines Izanami-no-mikoto and two other deities.
• Minamoto no Yoshiie prayed for victory here in 1062.

What to see

• Main hall shows architectural style of the Muromachi period.
• Main hall is an Iwate Prefecture tangible cultural property.

When to go

• Jyuniban Sumo-shiki is a sumo ritual for infants.
• The sumo ritual is a Hanamaki City intangible cultural property.

Address

岩手県花巻市東和町北成島5区1 Map

Read more about Mikumano Shrine

Kumano Shrine offers unique cultural properties and a rare camellia tree.

What it is

• Shrine established around the Bun'ei era of the Kamakura period.
• Legend describes priests fleeing with treasures by boat.

What to see

• Hanging Buddhas: 19 copper and iron pieces.
• Hanging Buddhas are designated tangible cultural properties.
• Sanmen Tsubaki: 8m circumference, 10m height.
• Sanmen Tsubaki is a designated natural monument.
• One Sanmen Tsubaki tree remains after 2009 collapse.
• Shrine has city-designated cultural properties like lion heads.

Address

岩手県大船渡市末崎町字中森17 Map

Read more about Kumano Shrine

Ancient shrine in Miyako City, founded in 680 AD, with a unique sea procession festival.

What it is

• A Hachimangu shrine in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Founded in 680 AD, it was formerly a village shrine.
• One of the Hachimangu shrines of the former Morioka Domain.
• Protected by the Sentoku clan.

What to see

• Shrine grounds include Kompira Shrine and Inari Shrine.
• Site where Sarumaru Dayu composed a waka poem.
• Location of Sarumaru Dayu's former residence, Sarumaru Yashiki.

When to go

• Attend the sea procession festival.

Address

岩手県宮古市宮町二丁目5番1号 Map

Official site

y-hachimangu.com

Read more about Yokoyama Hachimangū

Visit Nanbu Shrine, founded in 1882, to honor the Tono Nanbu family and experience unique festivals.

What it is

• A shrine in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Founded in 1882 as Nabekura Shrine.
• Renamed Nanbu Shrine in 1944.
• Dedicated to the Tono Nanbu family, generations one to eight.

When to go

• Annual festival with portable shrine procession on May 3.
• Annual festival's main ceremony is on May 4.
• Sumitsuke Don to Festival is on the second Sunday of January.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Kamaishi Line Tono Station.

Address

岩手県遠野市東舘町3-6 Map

Read more about Nanbu Shrine, Tono

Ontakesan Ontake-shinmeisha is a historic shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, offering a glimpse into local faith.

What it is

• A shrine founded in 766.
• Dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami since 1772.
• Served as a general prayer place for the Ryugo area.
• Re-established in 1906 by Yuzo Sato.

What to see

• The current shrine building, rebuilt in 1978.
• Several auxiliary shrines on the grounds.

When to go

• Various festivals are held throughout the year.

Getting there

• 10-minute taxi ride from JR Hanamizumi Station.

Address

岩手県一関市花泉町老松字水沢屋敷161番地2 Map

Read more about Ontakesan Ontake-shinmeisha

Unosumi Shrine is a historic coastal shrine with a revered Kannon statue, worth visiting for its cultural heritage.

What it is

• Shrine established in 1690.
• Dedicated to Hondawake-no-mikoto and Oyamatsumi-no-mikoto.
• Home to the Unosumai Tora Mai folk dance.

What to see

• First torii gate is about 5 meters tall.
• Wooden Eleven-faced Kannon statue from 1510.
• Kannon-do hall, undamaged by tsunami.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Unosumai on Sanriku Railway Rias Line.
• 5-minute drive from Kamaishi-kita Interchange.

Address

岩手県釜石市鵜住居町第13地割28番地 Map

Read more about Unosumi Shrine

Hitaka Shrine, founded in 810 AD, offers important cultural properties and a lively festival.

What it is

• Shrine founded by imperial order in 810 AD.
• Eight deities are enshrined here.

What to see

• Main shrine building is an Important Cultural Property.
• Zuisan Shrine is a sub-shrine.
• Two Ubasugi cedar trees are city natural monuments.
• Six stone lanterns are city tangible cultural properties.
• Rusuke family graves are city historic sites.

When to go

• Known for the Hitaka Hibuse Festival.

Address

岩手県奥州市水沢字日高小路13 Map

Read more about Hitaka Shrine

Ichinoseki Hachiman Shrine is a guardian deity, rebuilt after fire, enshrining historical figures.

What it is

• Total guardian deity of Ichinoseki City.
• Also known as Ichinoseki Hachiman Shrine Aidono Tamura Shrine.
• Established by Sakanoue Tamuramaro between 782 and 806.
• Relocated to its current site in 1662.

What to see

• Current shrine building rebuilt in 1973.
• Enshrines Hachiman Okami, Sakanoue Tamuramaro, and Tamura Terusada.
• Sub-shrines include Takekoma Shrine and Tenmangu.

Address

岩手県一関市釣山19 Map

Read more about Ichinoseki Hachiman Shrine

Shiratori Shrine, founded in 1212, offers a glimpse into local history and traditional architecture.

What it is

• Founded in 1212 by Tada Tadaaki, ancestor of the Waga clan.
• Dedicated to the deity Yamato Takeru.
• Revered as a guardian deity for generations.
• Built within Futago Castle grounds.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt in 1843.
• Main hall and munafuda are tangible cultural properties.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from Kitakami Ezuriko IC.

Address

岩手県北上市二子町坊舘67－1 Map

Read more about Shiratori Shrine

Kitakami's guardian shrine, founded in 807, offers a glimpse into local history and sacred architecture.

What it is

• Central shrine in Kitakami City, also called Kitakami Suwa Shrine.
• Founded in 807 by order of Emperor Kanmu.
• Guardian shrine of Kitakami City and Waga County.
• Five deities enshrined together over time.

What to see

• Main hall, offering hall, and worship hall.
• Sacred tree, a Sawara cypress.

Getting there

• 9-minute walk from JR Kitakami Station.

Address

岩手県北上市諏訪町1-3-9 Map

Read more about Suwa Shrine