[Aomori Prefecture] Introducing popular temples and shrines recommended for New Year's visits in Aomori Prefecture for New Year's Day 2025!

We would like to introduce two shrines from Aomori City and Hachinohe City that are said to be standard in their respective regions as recommended New Year's visit destinations in Aomori Prefecture for New Year's Day in 2025.

In addition, Hirosaki City and its surrounding areas have a unique custom in the Tsugaru region called " Ichidai-sama " related to New Year's visit, and we will introduce this unique custom and the shrines and temples in the city and surrounding area that are connected to it.

Zenchitori Shrine (Aomori City)

which is written as `` Zenchidori Uto ,'' is said to have been built by Zenchidori Chunagon Yasukata , who ruled this area

In 807 (Daido 2nd year), Sakanoue Tamuramaro was rebuilt and became the `` Aomori Soshinju '', and Aomori City developed based on this shrine.

It has a long history, is located near the downtown area of ​​Aomori City, and is surrounded by deep greenery, with a spring water and a pond called ``Ryujinsui'' in the precincts, making it a power spot filled with a mystical atmosphere.

Enshrined deity and benefits of Zenchitori Shrine

enshrined here Munakata Sanjoshin, '' who are said to have been born by Amaterasusumeokami, who

• Takiribime no Mikoto : Takirihime (Tagirihime)
• Ichikishimahime : Ichikishimahime (Sayorihime)
• Takitsuhime no Mikoto : Takitsuhime

Its benefits include family safety, traffic safety, protection of fisheries, business prosperity, protection of the nation, and direction, and it has been worshiped by locals as the ``god of the sea'' and ``god of safe navigation'' since ancient times.

Zenchitori Shrine New Year’s visit information

You can visit the shrine all day long on New Year's Day, but it is expected to be very crowded every year around midnight on New Year's Day.

Also, the shrine is crowded every day from 11:00 to 15:00 on the first three days of the New Year, so if you have time, we recommend moving your New Year's visit to a time before or after that time.

Please also note that Omikuji and amulets will be awarded between 0:00 and 19:00 on January 1st, 8:30 to 18:30 on the 2nd, and 8:30 to 18:00 on the 3rd.

Zenchidori Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Zenchidori Shrine
• Location: 2-7-18 Yasukata, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-722-4843
• Awarding office reception hours: 8:30-17:00
• Prayer reception hours: 9:00-16:00
• URL: Zenchidori Shrine official website

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Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine (Hachinohe City)

Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine was moved by Nanbu Mitsuyuki, the founder of the Oshu Nanbu clan, from Nanbu Sho, Kai Province (Nanbu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture), where the Nanbu clan originated

It has been worshiped as the guardian of the Nanbu family since the Kamakura period, and the grounds are lined with old giant trees, including sacred cedar trees that are hundreds of years old, and the solemn atmosphere is soothing.

There are many national treasures and important cultural properties in the buildings and collections such as the main shrine, and the shrine is reputed to be the place where you can feel the strongest power in the Hachinohe area, making it a recommended power spot for people who want to gain momentum from the New Year.

Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine’s enshrined deity and blessings

The main deity enshrined Hachiman Okami , but Amaterasusume Okami Amatsukoyanekami are also enshrined here.

Hachiman Okami has been revered by samurai as the god of military fortune since the Genpei period, and is also called `Hachiman Daibosatsu

Hachiman Omikami is also called ` `Hondawake no Mikoto,'' and is said to be the same as Emperor Ojin, but his blessings include good luck in competitions, prosperous business, and matchmaking.

Information on the first visit to Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine

In addition to admiring two national treasures and important cultural properties, such as the Akai and Odoshi Armor in the National Treasure Museum

The National Treasure Museum is not closed during the year-end and New Year holidays, and can be visited from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (admission is charged).

You can visit the shrine 24 hours a day on New Year's Day, but it is expected to be very crowded around midnight on New Year's Day.

The crowds are worst from 1am when the amulet awarding begins, but on New Year's Day there are fewer people from 4pm to 9am, and on the 2nd and 3rd you can visit in the early morning or evening at your leisure.

Also, there is only one restroom on the grounds near the main gate, so we recommend that you use the restroom at a nearby convenience store before praying.

Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine
• Location: 3 Yawata Hachiman-cho, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0178-27-3053
• Awarding office reception hours: 8:30-17:30
• Prayer reception hours: 8:30-17:30 (times differ on the first three days of the New Year)
• National Treasure Museum Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (charged, open all year round)
• URL: Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine official website

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A unique New Year's visit to the Hirosaki area, "Tsugaru Ichidaisama"

where the guardian principal image of the zodiac sign of the year you were born is called `` Ichidai-sama, '' and you must visit the temple or shrine that enshrines that principal image at milestones in your life.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

Related article

Tohoku Zodiac Guardian Principal Image Sacred Site: Aomori Edition “Tsugaru Ichidai”

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28083

Do you know what a “sacred place” is? It is a pilgrimage route that visits sacred sites and temples all over Japan in order, and the nationally famous Shikoku 88 Temples Tour is also a pilgrimage route to the ``Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites.'' There are various sacred sites in the Tohoku region, but this time we will introduce sacred sites related to the ``Zodiac'' in Aomori Prefecture. Tsugaru Ichidai-sama Zodiac Pilgrimage Sacred Site Tsugaru Ichidai-sama is a sacred place of the zodiac, centered around the former castle town of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, where you can visit the guardian deity of your year of birth. There are nine temples, but for some reason there are only two temples in the Year of the Rabbit. I mainly visit during New Year and Lunar New Year...

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Nowadays, when the New Year's bell starts ringing on New Year's Eve, each family in the Hirosaki city or nearby area visits the shrine to pray for their first generation, which is becoming a new custom.

What is the guardian deity of the zodiac?

Since the zodiac signs are assigned to the eight directions of the two zodiac signs, two zodiac signs are assigned to each direction: northeast (Ushitora), southeast (Tatsumi), southwest (Mishin), and northwest (Inui).

In the ideology of esoteric Buddhism (such as the Shingon sect), a guardian deity is determined to protect each zodiac sign, and the temples and shrines around Hirosaki City where each guardian deity is enshrined are the places of first visit.

• Year of the Rat (Thousand-Armed Kanzeon Bodhisattva, North): Taga Shrine
• Year of the Ox and Year of the Tiger (Kokuzo Bosatsu/Northeast): Gumonji)
• Year of the Rabbit Part 1 (Manjusri Bodhisattva, East): Kongosan Saishoin Temple
• Year of the Rabbit Part 2 (Manjusri Bodhisattva, East): Tenmangu Shrine (Nishishigemori, Hirosaki City)
• Year of the Rabbit Part 3 (Monjusri Bodhisattva, East): Kanehira Tenmangu Shrine (Kanehira, Hirosaki City)
• Year of the Rabbit Part 4 (Manjusri Bodhisattva, East): Akakurasan Kongoji Temple (Hirakawa City)
• Year of the Dragon/Year of the Snake (Fugen Bosatsu/Southeast): Atagoyama Hashiunji Temple (Atagoyama Temple, Hirosaki City)
• Year of the Horse (Seishi Bodhisattva, South): Hakusan Hime Shrine (Shirayama Hime Jinja, Kuroishi City)
• Year of the Year of the Monkey (Dainichi Nyorai/Southwest): Daienji Temple (Owani Town)
• Year of the Rooster (Fudo Myoo/West): Kogakesan Kokujoji Temple (Hirakawa City)
• Year of the Dog/Year of the Pig (Hachiman Great Bodhisattva or Amida Nyorai/Northwest): Hirosaki Hachimangu Shrine

Jinguji Temple (Hirakawa City) where the “Ichidai-sama of Tsugaru” are gathered together

We have introduced many temples and shrines around Hirosaki City as " Tsugaru Ichidai-sama

All eight guardian deities are enshrined in the main hall, making it convenient for visiting "Ichidai-sama" with a large group of friends or family.

Jinguji <Information>

• Facility name: Sarugayama Chomeiin Jinguji Temple
• Address: 166-2 Saruga Ishibayashi, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture 036-0242
• Phone number: 0172-57-3182
• URL: Hirakawa City Tourism Association Official Website

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summary

In this article, we have selected three shrines and temples recommended for New Year's visit in Aomori Prefecture, and introduced them.

Why not visit a large shrine that is famous as a local power spot, which can be said to be a classic, or the guardian deity of the zodiac signs to pray for peace and happiness in 2025?

The custom of ``Ichidai-sama'' is unique to the Tsugaru region, but if you search for and pray to the ``Ichidai-sama'' in your area, you may receive great blessings.