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In Miyagi Prefecture, first shrine visits are to Osaki Hachimangu Shrine and Toshogu Shrine in Sendai city, as well as many other popular shrines across the prefecture, including Takekoma Shrine, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines, and Shiogama Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Mutsu Province
In this article, we will introduce three shrines that are unique in their origins and benefits and are worth visiting for your first visit of the year in 2025
Atago Shrine (Taihaku Ward, Sendai City)
The shrine was moved when Date Masamune moved from Yonezawa to Iwadeyama and then to Sendai, and is revered as the guardian of Sendai (Sendai).It is enshrined at the top of Atagoyama overlooking the Hirose River, and at night you can enjoy the night view of the city
The main hall and worship hall are designated as tangible cultural properties of Sendai city, and are one of the sacred sites of worship for the Kedegam god, who is the guardian deity of the twelve zodiac signs of Sendai
As the shrine protects the Year of the Dragon in 2024 and the Year of the Snake in 2025, it is expected that many people will visit the shrine for the first time next New Year
The grounds of Atago Shrine are connected to Daimanji Temple, which enshrines Kokuzo Bosatsu, the guardian deity of the Sendai Zodiac for the years of the Ox and Tiger
Atago Shrine's Deity and Benefits
Statue of Fugen Bosatsu (Tokyo National Museum) Source: Wikipedia (file name: Fugen Bosatsu.jpg)
The enshrined deity is Kagutsuchi no Kami, the god of fire, who is known for his protection and fire prevention benefits
As a remnant of the past syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Fugen, who protects the direction of Tatsumi, is considered the guardian deity, and the shrine is visited by many worshippers as a sacred place for Sendai's Katagami faith
In addition, since many gods are enshrined here, such as Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke no Okami, the blessings that can be received are diverse
Kachidoki Shrine: A must-visit for Rakuten Eagles fans
Kachidoki Shrine located within the grounds , enshrines gods related to competitions, such as war gods, and as the god of sports, it is said to grant prayers for victory, improved skills, and good physical health.
For some reason, the shrine has a support towel of professional baseball player Tatsumi Ryosuke of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on display, making it a holy place for Eagles fans known only to those in the know
Atago Shrine is the guardian deity of " Tatsumi ," and although "mi" and "ki" are different characters, baseball players who want to share in the fortunes of Golden Glove Award winner Tatsumi come to worship here.
Information on New Year's visits to Atago Shrine
Stone steps of Atago Shrine. Source: Wikipedia (File name: SendaiAtagoJinjyaTorii2006-5.jpg, Photographer: Kinori)
Atago Shrine is about an 8-minute walk from Atagobashi Station on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line, and can be reached by climbing 215 stone steps from the torii gate at the end of the Atago Ohashi Bridge over the Hirose River
If you are visiting by car, there is a free parking lot at Atago Shrine, but during the first three days of the New Year you can only climb as far as the Daimanji parking lot below, so you will have to park there and then climb a little further
You can visit the shrine 24 hours a day, but prayers and the issuance of amulets and talismans are only available from 9:00 to 17:00
Torii gate of Kanehebisui Shrine Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
In 989 (the first year of the Eisho era), a swordsmith in Kyoto named Kokaji Munechika was forging a sword for the emperor, but he was unable to concentrate because of the loud croaking of frogs around him
The shrine is said to have originated from the fact that a snake-shaped sword (Kinja) was thrown into the water, which calmed the frog, and the Kinja was then dedicated
Sanctified pond of Kanahebi-Suijinja shrine Source: Wikipedia (File:Sanctified pond of Kanahebi-Suijinja shrine.JPG, Photographer: Bachstelze)
As the shrine enshrines the snake god, next year, the Year of the Snake, is considered an auspicious year and commemorative events are being planned, and it seems that there is a high possibility that those who visit the shrine will receive particularly great benefits
Serpentine. Source: Wikipedia (File:Jamon Stone of Kanahebi-Suijinja shrine.JPG, Photographer: Bachstelze)
Furthermore, after visiting the main shrine on your first visit of the year, it is said that if you place your hand or your wallet on the serpentine stone
The deity and blessings of Kanehebisui Shrine
The main hall of Kanehebisui Shrine. Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
snakes and water, visited by many managers and businessmen.
Kanahebi-Benzaiten Shrine Source: Wikipedia (File:Kanahebi-Benzaiten shrine.JPG, Photographer: Bachstelze)
Additionally, within the grounds Kinja Benzaiten , and it is said that by praying to her, you will be blessed with wealth, wisdom, and improvement in your arts and crafts.
A branch shrine of Kinhebi-sui Shrine in Sendai city
Kinjamizu Shrine Ichibancho Branch
Sendai Teppomachi Branch Shrine
For those who find it difficult to go to Iwanuma for their first visit of the year, we recommend visiting the three branch shrines in Sendai city
Sendai Ichibancho Bunreisha Shrine: 4-11 Ichibancho, Aoba Ward, Sendai City (next to Mitsukoshi)
Sendai Tatemachi Branch Shrine: Tatemachi 1-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai City
Sendai Teppocho Branch Shrine: 170 Teppocho, Miyagino Ward, Sendai City (inside the coin parking lot)
Information on New Year's visits to Kanahebisui Shrine
Approach Source: Wikipedia (File:Main approach to Kanahebi-Suijinja shrine 2.JPG, Photographer: Bachstelze)
The period for New Year's visits to shrines is from January 1st (Wed) to the 14th (Tue)
You can visit the shrine 24 hours a day, but prayers and the issuance of amulets are only available between 8:00 and 16:00
However, the first prayer of the New Year will be held at midnight on January 1st, so if you wish to participate, please apply from 10pm on December 31st this year
Kinjamizu Shrine＜Information＞
Facility name: Kanahebi-sui Shrine
Address: 7 Sanshoku Yoshimizujin, Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
In the square beyond the torii gate lies a huge rock believed to be a goddess, and above it sits a huge round rock measuring 14 meters in circumference believed to be a male god, as if suspended by a sacred rope
male god
goddess
Tsuriishi Shrine because of the scenery , and this huge rock did not fall during the 1978 Miyagi Prefecture offshore earthquake, and became famous as the "god of exams who seem like they will fail but never do."
Furthermore, during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 (Heisei 23), although the shrine office and torii gate were washed away by the tsunami due to its location near the mouth of the Kitakami River, the huge rock remained intact, and it is now worshipped as the god of exams
Tsuriishi Shrine's Deity and Benefits
The enshrined deity, Ameno-Koyane-no-Mikoto, is the god who chanted a prayer to open the cave a little when Amaterasu Omikami hid in it
Tsuriishi Shrine is also known as a power spot for praying for success in exams, as it is also considered to be the god of wisdom and academic achievement, along with the giant rock that "looks like it's about to fall but doesn't."
In mid-December, the shrine is decorated with "reed kadomatsu" (New Year's decorations) and "reed rings" made from reeds that grow on the banks of the Kitakami River. If you pass through these, it is considered a "reed pass," making it a welcome first shrine visit for students taking exams
Other benefits that are said to come from the shrine include safety in the home, good health, marital harmony, fertility, longevity, and traffic safety
Information on New Year's visits to Tsuriishi Shrine
There is free parking (for 30 cars), worship is open 24 hours a day, and a New Year's Day festival is held
Amulets and other items are distributed from 8:30am until 5pm, and can be received from 6:30am on New Year's Day
Please note that the 174 stone steps next to the huge rock deity are very steep, so test takers should hold on tightly to the handrails when climbing up and down to avoid falling
There is also a detour that avoids the stone steps, so you can take that route on your way back
Tsuruishi Shrine <Information>
Facility name: Tsuruishi Shrine
Address: 305 Shobuda, Jusanhama, Kitakami-cho, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
In addition to the three shrines introduced here, there are other shrines and temples in Miyagi Prefecture where you can receive unique blessings and obtain rare offerings
If I have another opportunity, I would like to introduce other places, such as the "Love Hot Spring Betting Jizo," which is said to grant love if you pour hot spring water over it, and a shrine that is said to bring good luck in improving your soft tennis skills
Year of the Snake New Year's Shrine Visit Series List
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
![Date tea](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSCN1084-150x150.jpg.webp "Shiogama's new symbol, "Date Tea," unveiled at the press conference [Miyagi Prefecture]")
