20 Shrines in Tochigi worth your time

Ancient Shinto shrine with a rich history, significant architecture, and a vibrant annual festival.

What it is

• Shinto shrine in Mooka City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Homutawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ōjin).
• Established in 676 by Emperor Tenmu's imperial order.
• Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and Yoshiie rebuilt it in the Eishō era.

What to see

• Main hall dates to around 1461.
• Main hall is a wooden structure with a copper plate roof.
• Main hall is a Mooka City designated cultural property.
• Kagura-den is a Mooka City registered cultural property.
• Several items are Tochigi Prefecture cultural properties.

When to go

• Annual grand festival is held on September 15.
• Yabusame (horseback archery) is performed at the grand festival.

Address

栃木県真岡市中556 Map

Read more about Nakamura-hachimangū

Ancient Shinto shrine with a unique sumo ring and a famous festival.

What it is

• Shinto shrine in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Founded between 729 and 749 AD.
• Dedicated to Hachiman-jin and Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto.
• Fujiwara Hidesato prayed for victory here in 939 AD.

What to see

• Main hall and worship hall rebuilt in 1851 AD.
• Artisans from Nikko Toshogu Shrine rebuilt the main hall.
• Pine tree planted by Minamoto Yoritomo in 1189 AD.
• Basho haiku monument dedicated in 1853 AD.
• Shrine grounds include a sumo ring.
• Sumo ring is a filming location for movies.

When to go

• Jagawaita festival held annually on May 5th.
• Jagawaita is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

栃木県小山市間々田2330-1 Map

Read more about Mamada Hachimangu

Ancient Hachimangu shrine with historical ties, notable for its zelkova tree and cultural properties.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 875 by imperial order from Iwashimizu Hachimangu.
• Another theory states it was founded in 749 from Usa Jingu.
• Dedicated to Hōda wake no Mikoto, Tamayori Hime, Okinagatarashi Hime no Mikoto.
• Adjacent to the ruins of Shimotsuke Yakushiji Temple.

What to see

• Main hall and worship hall rebuilt in 1662.
• These buildings are Tochigi Prefecture cultural properties.
• Zelkova tree planted by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and Yoshiie.
• This zelkova tree is a city natural monument.
• Sub-shrines: Tenguyama Raiden Jinja and Yasaka Jinja.

When to go

• Various festivals are held throughout the year.

Address

栃木県下野市薬師寺1509 Map

Official site

www2.odn.ne.jp

Read more about Yakushiji Hachimangū

Imamiya Shrine, founded in 782, offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese religious architecture and cultural heritage.

What it is

• Ancient shrine founded in 782.
• Relocated to its current site in 1535.
• Branch shrine of Nikko Futarasan Shrine.

What to see

• Main hall, worship hall, and heiden are cultural properties.
• Imamiya Shrine Karamon is a cultural property.
• Bronze crotal is a cultural property.
• Great drum is a city cultural property.
• Sword by Arakawa Sadagoro Naoyuki is a city cultural property.
• Tachi sword by Toshiyuki is a city cultural property.

When to go

• Festival float event is a National Important Folk Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Shin-Kanuma Station.

Address

栃木県鹿沼市今宮町1692 Map

Read more about Imamiya Shrine

Kibata Shrine is an ancient shrine with important architecture, worth visiting for its history and festivals.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Masakatsu Agatsukachihayahi Ama no Oshihomimi no Mikoto.
• Established in 795 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Alternatively, founded by Shioya Korehiro.

What to see

• Main hall built in the mid-Muromachi period.
• Main hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• Tower gate built in the mid-Muromachi period.
• Tower gate is an Important Cultural Property.
• Surrounding cedar forests are over 200 years old.

When to go

• Festival on January 14th.
• Spring Grand Festival on the second Sunday of April.
• Autumn Grand Festival on the second Sunday of October.

Address

栃木県矢板市木幡1194 Map

Read more about Kibata Shrine

Nasu Yuzen Shrine is an ancient shrine with historical ties and unique natural features.

What it is

• Founded between 629 and 641 AD.
• Enshrines Onamuchi-no-mikoto and two other deities.
• Mentioned in the ancient Engishiki Jinmyocho record.
• Nasu Yoichi prayed here before the Battle of Yashima.

What to see

• A third torii gate marks the entrance.
• Listen to the sounds of a suikinkutsu.
• View the sazareishi, a large rock formation.
• Sessho-seki, a stone linked to Tamamo-no-Mae, is behind it.
• Nasu-dake Shrine, an okumiya, is on Mt. Chausu peak.

Getting there

• One-minute walk from Kanto Bus Nasu Yumoto bus stop.

Address

182 Yumoto, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi 325-0301, Japan Map

Official site

nasu-yuzen.jp

Read more about Nasu Yuzen Shrine

Shirahige Shrine enshrines Sarutahiko-no-mikoto and features impressive carved festival floats.

What it is

• A shrine in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• It enshrines the deity Sarutahiko-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Shirasawa South Carved Float, made 1816-1820.
• South Float features lions on the onigawara.
• South Float has large peonies on the gegyo.
• Shirasawa Ko-bu Carved Float, made around 1833.
• Ko-bu Float has lions on the onigawara and gegyo.
• Ko-bu Float has dragon carvings on front pillars.

When to go

• Shirasawa Bonten Festival is held on November 23rd.
• Festival involves dedicating 'Bonten' to the shrine.

Address

栃木県宇都宮市白沢町1868-2 Map

Read more about Shirahige Shrine (Tochigi Prefecture)

Suga Shrine is a historic site in Oyama City, home to ancient artifacts and a lively festival.

What it is

• Founded in 940 by Fujiwara Hidesato.
• Dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, and Hachiman-shin.
• Served as the guardian deity of Oyama Castle.
• Relocated to its current site in the Heiji era.

What to see

• Oldest stone torii in Oyama City, built in 1653.
• Horai Mirror, a nationally important art object.
• Vermilion palanquin, a prefectural cultural property.

When to go

• During the large-scale Gion Festival.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Oyama Station.

Address

栃木県小山市宮本町1-2-4 Map

Read more about Suga Shrine

Omiwa Shrine is Tochigi's oldest shrine, known for its unique garden and cultural properties.

What it is

• Oldest shrine in Tochigi Prefecture.
• Was the general shrine of Shimotsuke Province.
• Enshrines Yamato Omononushi Kushimikatama no Mikoto.
• Also enshrines Kono-hana-sakuya-hime no Mikoto.

What to see

• Muro no Yashima, a garden with eight small islands.
• Eight deities enshrined in Muro no Yashima's islands.
• Designated historic site 'Shimotsuke Soja (Muro no Yashima)'.

When to go

• Spring Grand Festival features a Yabusame event.
• Kagura and Hokosai are intangible folk cultural properties.

Address

栃木県栃木市惣社町477 Map

Read more about Omiwa Shrine

Ancient shrine in Ashikaga City, founded in 1056, with unique Inari shrine.

What it is

• A shrine in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Founded in 1056 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and Yoshiie.
• Dedicated to Homenwake no Mikoto, Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto, and Hime Okami.
• Formerly known as Ashikaga-sho Hachimangu.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt in 1814.
• A bronze torii, donated in 1793.
• The Hachimangu Kuromatsu, an estimated 600-year-old pine.
• Kadota Inari Shrine, one of Japan's Three Great Enkiri Inari.

When to go

• The annual festival is held on April 10th.

Address

栃木県足利市八幡町387-4 Map

Read more about Shimotsuke-no-kuni Issha Hachimangū

Ōsaki Shrine is a historic Shikinai-sha shrine with unique carp imagery and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shikinai-sha shrine with over 1,500 years of history.
• Dedicated to Ōkuninushi Ōkami and Kotoshironushi Ōkami.
• Also enshrines Amaterasu Ōmikami and Yaoyorozu no Kami.

What to see

• Main hall, offering hall, and worship hall are important cultural properties.
• Carp imagery in the main and worship halls.
• Ashioyama Shrine, a sub-shrine for motorcycle safety.
• The second torii gate, rebuilt in 2013.

When to go

• Annual festival includes a tradition of offering deer meat.

Address

栃木県真岡市東郷937 Map

Read more about Ōsaki Shrine

This eighth-century shrine, one of Japan's oldest, honors Nikko's sacred mountains and deities.

What it is

• One of the oldest shrines in Japan, dating to the eighth century.
• Consists of three sites: Honsha, Chugushi, and Okunomiya.
• Highest-ranking shrine in Tochigi Prefecture.
• Enshrines three Shinto kami deities.

What to see

• Haiden worship hall, donated in 1619.
• Haiden architecture is simple but powerful.
• Haiden decoration in red and black is understated.
• Samurai statue protects enshrined deities.
• Painting of a sacred deer in the Haiden.
• Honden main shrine building, connected by a corridor.

Address

栃木県宇都宮市馬場通り Map

Official site

www.futarasan.jp

Read more about Futarasan Shrine

Ancient mountaintop shrine with 1,000 stone steps, cultural properties, and hydrangea.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 827 by Jikaku Daishi (Ennin).
• Dedicated to Ninigi-no-Mikoto, Amaterasu-Ōmikami, and Toyouke-hime-Ōkami.
• Located at the summit of Mount Ōhira.

What to see

• Approximately 1,000 stone steps on the front approach.
• Zuishinmon Gate is a city-designated cultural property.
• Main hall and worship hall are cultural properties.
• Hoshimiya Shrine building is a cultural property.
• Ceiling painting 'Dragon' is a cultural property.
• Hydrangea Slope has about 2,500 hydrangea plants.

Address

栃木県栃木市平井町659 Map

Official site

www.ohirasanjinja.rpr.jp

Read more about Ōhirasan Shrine

Historic shrine at Mt. Hachiman's base, founded in 1641, offering a glimpse into local traditions.

What it is

• A shrine in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Established in 1641 by Okudaira Tadamasa.
• Enshrines Hachiman Okami and other deities.

What to see

• Shrine grounds contain Kotohira Shrine and Suga Shrine.
• The current torii gate was built in July 1977.
• Suga Shrine's portable shrine, made in 1935, weighs over 1 ton.

When to go

• Hanawada Tenno Matsuri is a July tradition.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from the Kencho-mae bus stop.

Address

栃木県宇都宮市塙田5-2-61 Map

Read more about Hanawada Hachimangū

Orihime Shrine, a beautiful mountaintop shrine, offers stunning night views and a romantic atmosphere.

What it is

• A shrine in Ashikaga City, also called Ashikaga Orihime Shrine.
• Founded in 1705 by local residents.
• Dedicated to Amenomihoko-no-mikoto and Yachijihime-no-mikoto.
• Relocated to Orihimeyama in 1879, current building from 1937.

What to see

• Shrine buildings registered as tangible cultural properties.
• Selected as a Lover's Sanctuary.
• Certified as a Japan Night View Heritage site.
• One of Japan's 100 Best Night Views.
• Moon scenery certified as one of Japan's 100 Famous Moons.

Address

栃木県足利市西宮町3889番地 Map

Read more about Orihime Shrine

Ogoto Shrine is a historic site with important cultural properties, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• Founded in 1091, originally Fujimori Shrine.
• Enshrines four main deities.
• Mibu clan's ancestor enshrined in 1464.
• Formerly held the rank of Gosha.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1686.
• Main hall, worship hall, and gate are Mibu Town cultural properties.
• Bronze torii gate donated in 1778.
• Bronze torii gate is a Tochigi Prefecture cultural property.

Getting there

• Tobu Utsunomiya Line Mibu Station.
• About a 7-minute walk from Mibu Station.

Address

栃木県下都賀郡壬生町通町18-58 Map

Read more about Ogoto Shrine (Mibu)

Gamō Shrine honors a local hero, offering unique cultural events and historical monuments.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Gamō Kunpei no Mikoto.
• Preparatory organization formed in 1912.
• Shrine building completed in 1916.
• Promoted to a prefectural shrine in 1940.

What to see

• Torii gate donated by Yokozuna Tochigiyama Moriya.
• Monument to Akashi Shiganosuke.
• Stone statue of Akashi Shiganosuke.
• Selected as one of the 100 Views of Utsunomiya.

When to go

• Junior sumo tournament is held here.
• Moon-viewing event takes place in September.

Address

栃木県宇都宮市塙田五丁目1-19 Map

Official site

www.gamoujinja.com

Read more about Gamō Shrine

Visit Ōsaki Ebisu Shrine to see Japan's largest Ebisu statue and pray for prosperity.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Ebisu-sama, deity of good fortune.
• Ebisu-sama is the child deity of Ōkuni-sama.
• Known for money, business, health, longevity, and warding off disasters.

What to see

• 20-meter tall Ebisu statue, Japan's largest.
• Statue holds a 5-meter long golden carp.
• Circulating Japanese garden, Gogyo Shinsui-en.
• Gogyo Fukusensui, Lucky Coin Water, within the garden.

When to go

• May 5th for the carp release into the Gogyo River.

Address

栃木県真岡市東郷943 Map

Read more about Ōsaki Ebisu Shrine

Nasu Shrine is a historic site with important cultural properties and a beautiful cedar-lined approach.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Emperor Ojin.
• Also known as Kanamaru Hachimangu and Yose Hachimangu.
• One of the "Soja San Hachiman" of Nasu-gun.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1641 is an Important Cultural Property.
• Romon gate built in 1642 is an Important Cultural Property.
• Shrine grounds are a designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Approximately 260 cedar trees line the approach.

When to go

• Annual Yabusame event is held here.

Address

栃木県大田原市南金丸1628 Map

Official site

nasujinja.jp

Read more about Nasu Shrine

Shiogama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Yaita, dedicated to several deities.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Yaita City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Main deities are Shiotsuchi-no-oji-no-mikoto, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, Futsunushi-no-mikoto.
• Relocated to its current site in September 1580.
• Became one of Yaita's representative shrines.

What to see

• Seven other deities are enshrined here.
• Izumo Shrine is an auxiliary shrine on the grounds.

When to go

• Origin festival held annually on July 10th of the old calendar.

Address

栃木県矢板市上町6-11 Map

Read more about Shiogama Shrine (Yaita)