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

Iwate Prefecture is home to many shrines and temples that are popular for New Year's visits, such as Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, where the Oshu Fujiwara clan once flourished, and Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, considered the prefecture's most powerful power spot.

All of these shrines are known for being able to bestow various blessings, but in this article we will introduce three shrines that can bestow unique blessings.

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine (Morioka City)

When it comes to the god of learning and wisdom in Morioka City, Morioka Tenmangu Shrine is said to be the best.

It is a power spot recommended not only for test takers who are facing trials at the beginning of the year, but also for researchers and scholars who work hard on their studies every day.

You can enjoy a panoramic view of Morioka city from the slightly elevated Mt. Tenjin, and the shrine grounds, where you are greeted by a pair of guardian guardian dogs with simple and charming faces, have a quiet and solemn atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Also, Morioka is famous for its `` Ishiwarizakura'' (Ishiwarizakura ), and at Tenmangu Shrine there is also `` Ishiwaribai'' (Ishiwari Plum is also called Zenyuseki because old coins have come out of the cracks in the stone. It is called.

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine’s enshrined deity and blessings

The enshrined deity Sugawara , also known as `Tenma Daijizai .

In addition, the Inari Shrine ` `Ukanomitama Okami '' and the Kashima Shrine `` Takemikazuchi no Okami'' are enshrined within the precincts as Setsumatsusha shrines.

In addition to ``academic success,'' benefits include ``prosperity in business,'' ``family harmony,'' ``health,'' ``matchmaking,'' and ``warding off evil spirits.''

In addition, the temple grounds are lined with statues and stones that are said to bring good luck if you stroke them.It is said that if you stroke the statue of a Marriage Stone ,'' you will be blessed with a good match. It is said.

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine and guardian dogs loved by poet Takuboku Ishikawa

It is said that Takuboku Ishikawa liked the atmosphere of Tenmangu Shrine, and often visited there and left behind several songs and poems.

The guardian dogs with their charming expressions, which Takuboku was fond of and wrote in his handwritten novels such as ``uncool'' and ``uncommon in the world,'' are enshrined on a pedestal with a monument of his poem engraved on it.

There is also a monument with poems in a plaza with a good view a little further down from the precincts, where you can listen to these songs and think of Takuboku, who spent his youth here.

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine (official) homepage

Link

Takuboku and Tenmangu | Morioka Tenmangu (official) homepage

https://moriokatenmangu.com/takuboku/

About Takuboku and Tenmangu Morioka Tenmangu, which was Takuboku's walking course. The guardian dog is now enshrined on top of Takuboku's monument. Tenmangu Shrine and guardian dogs appear in the novel ``Funeretsu'' written by Takuboku. Funeral procession (preamble omitted) Mt. Tenjin... Surrounded by a dense grove of cedar trees, on either side of the moss-smothered stone fence, in the garden several ten feet in front of the shrine, overgrown with autumn herbs. A warm, warm autumn sun was falling. The sound of a hawk in the distance

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine New Year’s visit information

You can visit the shrine 24 hours a day, and the presentation of amulets and amulets is from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (sometimes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. depending on the day).

One of Tenjin's events, `` Usokae ,'' is held on January 25th, and the wood-carved `` nightingale '' necessary for it can be obtained from New Year's Day.

Please note that there are only 10 parking spaces at the shrine, so during the crowded New Year's visit, it is best to use a nearby coin parking lot and walk to the shrine.

Morioka Tenmangu Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Morioka Tenmangu Shrine
• Location: 5-43 Shinjocho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-622-4023
• Prayer reception hours: 10:00-16:00
• Reception hours for awarded items: 9:00-17:00
• URL: Morioka Tenmangu Shrine official website

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Tonogo Hachiman Shrine (Tono City)

Tonogo Hachimangu , which appears in Kunio Yanagita's `` Tono Monogatari,'' dates back to the Kamakura period, and was generously protected by the Nanbu clan as the general guardian of Tonogo.

There is a large horse field designated as a cultural property (historical site) by Tono City, and during the Tono Festival in autumn, Yabusame, Yabusame, a technique that has been passed down for more than 360 years, is held.

Enshrined deity and blessings of Tonogo Hachimangu Shrine

The main enshrined deity, Honda Betsuson, is the deified form of the 15th Emperor Ojin, the deity of valor and learning, who is enshrined at Hachiman shrines across Japan as Hachiman. is.

Due to the syncretization of Shinto and Buddhism, he is widely worshiped as Hachiman Daibodhisattva, which is also an object of worship in Buddhism.

In addition, the following gods are also enshrined here.

• Okuninushi no Kami
• Kotoshironushi no Kami
• Sukunabiko no Kami
• Mitoshinokami

In addition to ``long life in arms'' and ``achievement in learning,'' the blessings include ``protection of the nation,'' ``prayer for fertility,'' and ``healing from illness.''

Cat shrine where cats are enshrined

Neko Shrine in one corner of the precincts , and many worshipers visit here for this purpose.

Otrasama the enshrined deity , is a stray tabby cat that was once born near this Hachimangu Shrine and was adopted as company cat

He made sure to visit the main shrine every morning and evening, and guided worshipers visiting Hachimangu Shrine, but on September 3, 2013, he was seen returning to Mt. Hachiman after visiting the main shrine.

In addition, the benefits of ``Otrasama'' are ``matchmaking'' and ``healthy longevity for your cat.''

Tonogo Hachiman Shrine New Year’s visit information

New Year's prayers are held from midnight on New Year's Eve.

If you would like to pray from midnight, please complete your prayer request by 11:45 p.m.

Prayers are held from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day, and the gifts of New Year's prayers such as amulets and amulets come with Tono

Additionally, the precincts are lit up at night from New Year's Eve to January 5th, so you can rest assured that your feet will be brightly lit.

The shrine also has a third parking lot, which can accommodate more than 150 cars.

Tonogo Hachiman Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Tonogo Hachimangu Shrine
• Location: 23 Shiraiwa 19, Matsuzaki-cho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0198-62-2647
• Prayer reception hours: 9:00-17:00
• Reception hours for awarded items: 9:00-17:00
• URL: Tonogo Hachiman Shrine official website

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Komagata Shrine (Oshu City)

Rikuchu Ichinomiya , was deeply revered by Sakanoue Tamuramaro, Minamoto Yoriyoshi, and Yoshiie father and son.

It is said that it was deeply revered by the Oshu Fujiwara clan because their prayers for good fortune were fulfilled, and it is the most powerful power spot in southern Iwate Prefecture, attracting many people of faith since ancient times.

Komagata Shrine’s enshrined deity and blessings

The following six deities are enshrined, and they are collectively called Komagata

• Amaterasu Omikami
• Tenjotachison (Ame-no-toko-tachi-no-mikoto)
• Tatsuson Kunisawa (Kuni no Satachi no Mikoto)
• Akatsu no Mikoto
• Takashi Okise (Mikoto Okise)
• Hikoho no Mikoto

The benefits bestowed by these gods include ``industrial development,'' ``traffic safety,'' ``praying for victory,'' ``preventing direction,'' and ``family safety.''

The most popular amulet is "Nitoryu Mamori"

Mizusawa, Oshu City, where Komagata Shrine is located, is the hometown of Shohei Otani of the MLB Los Angeles Dodgers, and Komagata Shrine, which protects Oshu City, bestows two-wielding amulet

When you think of Otani, the first thing that comes to mind is his ability to pitch and hit with two weapons.

This year, due to injury, it was reported that he was only active as a batter, but next year he is expected to be active as a two-way player like before.

This amulet is popular among people who wish to achieve success in both sports and entrance exams and to maintain good health, just like Otani.

Komagata Shrine New Year's visit information

Komagata Shrine is the most popular shrine in Oshu, with more than 120,000 people visiting it every year on the third day of the New Year.

New Year's Eve Festival is held from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM on New Year's Eve, and Saidan Festival is held from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM on New Year's Day, and New Year's prayers will be accepted after the gates open at midnight on New Year's Day.

Additionally, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on New Year's Day, young men and women will hold a "New Year's Lucky Mandarin Orange Throwing" event, and those who get the winning mandarin oranges will receive a special sacred sake from the shrine.

Please note that the following parking lots are available as temporary parking lots for New Year's visits.

• Mizusawa Park parking lot (New Year's Day only)
• Z Plaza Aterui parking lot (December 31st 23:30 to January 1st 18:00)
• Mizusawa Park South Parking (charged)

The shrine grounds will be open as a parking lot from the 2nd onwards.

Komagata Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Rikuchu Ichinomiya Komagata Shrine
• Location: 1-83 Mizusawa Nakauenocho, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0197-23-2851
• Opening hours: 5:30-20:00 (0:00-20:00 on New Year's Day)
• Prayer reception hours: 9:30-16:30
• Reception hours for awarded items: 9:00-17:00
• URL: Komagata Shrine official website

GOOGLE MAP

summary

In this article, we introduced three shrines in Iwate Prefecture that have unique stories: Takuboku Ishikawa, Neko Shrine, and Shohei Otani.

We hope to have another opportunity someday to introduce the New Year's visit spots in the northern part of the prefecture and the Sanriku coastal area that were not covered this time.