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When it comes to first shrine visits in Yamagata Prefecture, there are many temples and shrines throughout the prefecture that attract many worshippers, such as Yamagata Gokoku Shrine and Risshakuji Temple in Yamagata City, Uesugi Shrine in Yonezawa, Kameoka Monjudo in Takahata, and Kumano Taisha Shrine in Nanyo
In this article, we will introduce three unique shrines that are closely related to the snake, the zodiac sign for 2025, as recommended first shrine visits of the year in 2025
Dewa Sanzan Shrine (Tsuruoka City)
Dewa Shrine Sanshin Gohaiden Source: Wikipedia (File name: Hagurosan Gohaiden 2006.jpg, Photographer: Crown of Lenten rose)
Located in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, the Dewa Sanzan mountains have long been known as one of Tohoku's most representative sacred sites, and have been worshipped as the foremost holy place in Tohoku for Shugendo ( mountain asceticism) pilgrimages that involve visiting the three mountains. Each of the three mountains is revered as a god, with Mount Gassan being the god of the past (prayers for peace after death), Mount Haguro being the god of the present (prayers for happiness in this world), and Mount Yudono being the god of the future (prayers for rebirth).
Plaques of the three shrines Source: Yamagata Prefecture Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
However, due to heavy snowfall in winter, Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono are closed to the public. Therefore, the Ideha Shrine, where the three deities are said to reside, was built on the summit of Mount Haguro, which can be visited even in thisIdeha Shrineis considered equivalent to visiting all three mountains, making it a recommended power spot for New Year's visits.
The deities and blessings of the Sanshingosaiden shrine at Dewa Sanzan Shrine
Panoramic view of Sanshingosaiden (Sanshingosaiden) Source: Yamagata Prefecture Official Website "Yamagata Public Relations Photo Library"
The deities enshrined at each of the three mountains are as follows:
Gassan (Gassan Shrine): Tsukuyomi
Mount Haguro (Dewa Shrine): Ide no Kami and Ukanomitama
Mount Yudono (Yudonosan Shrine): Oyamatsumi-no-kami, Oanamuchi-no-mikoto, Sukunahikona-no-mikoto
Sanshingosaiden and Komainu (guardian lion statues) Source: Wikipedia (File name: HaguroSan2.jpg, Photographer: Rei)
These gods bestow various blessings, such as bountiful harvests, prosperous business, a satisfying large catch, good health, safety of the home, matchmaking, safe childbirth and child-rearing, and happiness for all
One of the deities enshrined at Dewa Shrine, Inakuratama-no-Mikoto, is Inari Daimyojin, also known as Ukanomitama-no-Kami
Inari-no-Mikoto is sometimes depicted with a white snake on its head, and is a deity deeply connected to the "dragon-serpent worship" that we introduced at Suwa Shrine. It can certainly be said that this deity is associated with the Year of the Snake.
Information on New Year's visits to Dewa Sanzan Shrine's Sanshingosaiden
Visiting the main shrine will be available from December 31st to January 1st until around 5pm, from 6:30am to 5pm on the 2nd, and from 8:30am to 5pm from the 3rd onwards. Amulets and other items will be distributed from 9am to 4:30pm
The Matsurei Festival, a fire festival of Mt. Haguro that brings good fortune, is held from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day, followed by the Saitansai Festival from 3:00 on New Year's Day, and the Genshisai Festival from 10:00 on January 3rd
The worship hall seen from the torii gate Source: Horyu Shrine official website
Located in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, this shrine has a long history. It is said that in 844 (Jowa 11), when An'ei, a monk from Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei in Kyoto, came to Asahi-cho to give a lecture, he appeased a dragon god that appeared to him in a dream and built a shrine there
This shrine is unique not only because it enshrines a dragon god, which is rare in this region, but also because it performs a " purification ritual " using a sacred sword that has been passed down through generations in the shrine to sever evil, misfortune, illness, and bad relationships
Large cedar tree in the grounds Source: Horyu Shrine official website
Furthermore, within the shrine grounds stands a large cedar tree designated as a natural monument by Yamagata Prefecture. This cedar, with a diameter of 7.5 meters, has withstood storms and lightning strikes for over a thousand years, protecting the shrine as a sacred tree inhabited by a white snake
Asahi Town is close to Yamagata city, and why not visit Toyoryu Shrine, which enshrines dragons, which are said to have an inseparable relationship with snakes, and pray for good fortune in 2025, the Year of the Snake?
The deity and blessings of Horyu Shrine
Toyotamahime and her younger sister Tamagoromohime Source: Wikipedia (File name: De juwelen fontein-Rijksmuseum RP-P-1958-374.jpeg, Photographer: Totoya Hokkei)
Toyotamahime-no-Mikoto is said to be the daughter of the sea god and is a deified dragon god, affectionately known as "Dragon God-sama."
For 1,200 years, this god has bestowed blessings on people, such as bountiful harvests, safe childbirth, fertility, prosperity of descendants, matchmaking, success in love, and safety at sea
Also popular is the "art goshuin" (temple seal), a collaboration with Yamaguchi Yuko, a Japanese painter who lives in the local town of Asahi. The goshuin features a white snake, which is said to live in the large cedar tree, as its motif for 2025, and it is said that great happiness will come
Horyu Shrine New Year's visit
Chozuya (purification fountain) in the grounds Source: Horyu Shrine official website
You can receive items such as stamps and amulets, as well as receive prayers, from 9:00 to 16:00, but please check the shrine's official website before visiting for information on opening hours during the New Year holidays
There are said to be approximately 25,000 Suwa Shrines across the country, with Suwa Taisha Shrine, located on Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, as its head shrine. One of these, Suwa Shrine, which celebrates its 550th anniversary this year, is said to be the oldest shrine in Yamagata City
In 1474 (Bunmei 6), when this region was suffering from a drought, the castle lord received a prophecy in a dream, and after following the prophecy and building Suwa Shrine and praying for rain, rain began to fall
It is said that eggplants were the first crop harvested after the rains, so at the annual festival of Suwa Shrine, worshippers offer five eggplants and take two home to eat, which is said to bring them divine protection
The deity and blessings of Suwa Shrine
Takeminakata-no-Mikoto (Young Japanese History Reader, Volume 2) Source: Wikipedia (File name: Takeminakata.jpg)
The main deity is Takeminakata-no-Kami, known from the myth of "Kuni-yuzuri" (transfer of the country), and his parent deity is Okuninushi-no-Kami, and his older brother Kotoshiro-no-Kami
In addition to being the guardian deity of agriculture, commerce, and industry, he is also said to grant benefits such as "extending life and warding off evil," "prayer for victory," and "long-lasting military fortune."
Due to the "dragon and snake faith" that sees Takeminakata no Kami as a dragon or snake, there are many legends and folktales in which this god appears as a dragon or snake, so great benefits are expected in 2025, the year of the snake
Also within the grounds of Suwa Shrine are Fukurokuju Inari Shrine, one of the Yamagata Seven Lucky Gods, and Fugen Shrine, which enshrines Fugen Bodhisattva as its sacred object, known as the guardian deity of the Years of the Dragon and Snake
For these reasons, Suwa Shrine, where you can expect to receive the power of ``dragon and snake faith'' and ``guardian deity,'' is recommended as a first shrine visit destination in 2025
Information on New Year's visits to Suwa Shrine
On the third day of the New Year, a bus will run between Yamagata Station and four shrines in Yamagata City
This is recommended for those who want to avoid crowded parking lots or who are worried about driving on snowy roads with heavy snowfall
The bus departs every 45 minutes from 9am, visiting Toyoretsu Shrine, Satonomiya Yudonosan Shrine, Yamagata Prefectural Gokoku Shrine, and Suwa Shrine before returning to Yamagata Station. The fare is 100 yen per trip (free for junior high school students and younger)
In this article, we have introduced three unique shrines in Yamagata Prefecture as recommended first shrine visit destinations, but in addition to these, there are other shrines and temples that are closely related to the Year of the Snake
While it's great to visit famous shrines and temples for the first time in the year, you might make some surprising discoveries if you research the history and benefits of the shrines and temples in your neighborhood
Year of the Snake New Year's Shrine Visit Series List
I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
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![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami Safflower" certified as a Japanese Heritage and Japanese Agricultural Heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
