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The most popular first shrine visit in Akita Prefecture is Ohirayama Miyoshi Shrine on the outskirts of Akita City, known as the shrine for the god of victory and success, with over 100,000 people visiting during the first three days of the New Year
While there are many other popular spots for New Year's visits, in this article we will introduce two unique shrines that are especially recommended for women, including shrines that enshrine deities not found in other prefectures
Iyataka Shrine (Akita City)
Iyataka Shrine's worship hall Source: Wikipedia (File name: Iyataka-jinja shaden 20190113.jpg, Photographer: Kikucha)
Iyataka Shrine , located on the north side of the grounds of Senshu Park (Kubota Castle ruins) in the city , is said to grant blessings for academic success and prayers for passing exams, and many researchers and students visit the shrine to offer prayers during the New Year.
Tenmangu Shrine is famous for academic success, but the people enshrined at Yataka Shrine Hirata Atsutane, , and Sato Nobuhiro, an agricultural policy scholar .
Kogetsu Pond in Senshu Park Source: Wikipedia (File name: Kogetsu-pond in Senshu Park 20180520.jpg, Photographer: Sukucha)
There is also Hachiman Akita Shrine in Senshu Park, which is close to JR Akita Station, so we recommend visiting both shrines while strolling through the park during the New Year holidays
The deity and blessings of Yataka Shrine
Portrait of Hirata Atsutane (Japanese Portrait Catalog, Kyoto University Museum) Source: Wikipedia
Two deities are enshrined here: Hirata Atsutane no Omikami (posthumous name and title of divine spirit: Kamutama no Mihashira no Omikami) and Sato Nobufuchi no Omikami
Hirata Atsutane was also known as a thinker of the Sonno Joi (revere the Emperor and expel the barbarians) movement, and his learning was accepted by everyone from samurai to commoners, resulting in the creation of many disciples. After his death, they deified him and founded Hirata Shrine
Hirata Shrine was originally built in another location within Akita City, but was later moved to its current location, at which point Sato Nobuhiro was also enshrined and the shrine's name was changed to Yataka Shrine
Hirata Shrine in Tokyo Source: Wikipedia (File name: Hirata Shrine1.jpg, Photographer: Edomura no Tokuzo)
In addition, Hirata Shrine was also founded in Tokyo, and it still exists today
The other enshrined deity, Sato Nobuhiro, was a disciple of Hirata Atsutane, who traveled around the country, learning from his experiences, and mastering a wide range of subjects including agricultural policy, productive industry, coastal defense, military science, astronomy, and Japanese studies, leaving behind numerous works
At Yataka Shrine, you can receive a wide range of blessings, including academic success, prayers for safe childbirth, traffic safety, and family safety
Information on New Year's visits to Yataka Shrine
On New Year's Day, the New Year's Festival is held from midnight to midnight:30, followed by prayers and the acceptance of gifts. From December 31st to January 1st, the temple is open until 7pm, and from the 2nd onwards, it is open from 8am to 6pm
Please note that there is no parking lot at the shrine, so we recommend using a paid parking lot near the park or using public transportation
Yataka Shrine <Information>
Facility name: Iyataka Shrine
Address: 1-16 Senshu Park, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
Since its founding in 982 (Tengen 5), the Mononobe family has served as the chief priest of this shrine for generations
It is famous for its approach lined with cedar trees that are said to be over 300 years old, and is surrounded by a tranquil atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city
Karamatsu Shrine, also known as "Karamatsu-sama of the Boundary," is considered the "chief female deity" that protects women, and is a beloved shrine that attracts many believers as the god of fertility and safe childbirth
Within the shrine grounds, there are stones that are said to grant fertility when touched, and couples hoping for children and pregnant women hoping for easy childbirth visit the shrine to pray for safe childbirth
Once you pass through the torii gate and proceed into the grounds, you will come across a shrine with a unique structure, even when viewed nationwide: the main shrine building, which is usually located on a small hill, is for some reason located at the bottom of a staircase
Also located within the grounds is Karamatsuyama Amatsuhinomiya Shrine, which is associated with the Mononobe clan and is unusual in that it has a stone wall made of piled stones about 20 meters in diameter built in the center of a small moat, with a worship hall built on top of it
Behind the worship hall are three embracing stones, the "Emperor's Embracing Stone" for fertility, the "Tamahoko Stone" for matchmaking and safe childbirth, and the "Female Stone (Child-Bearing Stone)" for fertility, and visitors can pray directly to the sacred objects
Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto: Posthumous name of Empress Jingu
Toyoukehime no Mikoto: Goddess of food and grains
Takamimusubi no Mikoto: God of creation, also known as the god who symbolizes the union of men and women
Kamimusubi no Mikoto: Like Takamusubi no Mikoto, he is considered to be the god of "creation"
In addition to blessings of fertility and safe childbirth, the shrine also grants blessings of matchmaking, and is a place where women are bestowed with powerful powers to live happily for the rest of their lives
Karamatsuyama Tenhi Shrine also enshrines the gods of matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth, and has a unique way of praying
The supporting stones at the back are, from left to right, the supporting male stone, the Tamahoko stone, and the female stone
It is said that if men walk around the worship hall clockwise while chanting their wishes and stroke the Tamahoko stone, and women walk around counterclockwise and stroke the Hachioishi Oishi and Tamahokoishi, repeating this procedure three times, their wishes will come true
Snake Head Kagura, a traditional Shinto dance
At Karamatsu Shrine, where Minamoto no Yoshiie is said to have prayed for victory during the Battle of Zenkunen, there is a "Snake Head Kagura" dance that is said to have originated from Yoshiie's victory
Snake Head Kagura is dedicated at the annual festival on May 3rd, and is preserved and passed down as an intangible cultural property of Daisen City
As such, Karamatsu Shrine has a deep connection with snakes, which is another reason why it is recommended as a first shrine visit in the Year of the Snake
Information on New Year's visits to Karamatsu Shrine
During the New Year period, the hours from 10am to 4pm are very busy
There is only free parking for about 20 cars, so if you plan to use the parking lot, it is recommended to go early in the morning when there are fewer visitors
Karamatsu Shrine <Information>
Facility name: Karamatsu Shrine
Address: 94 Kyowa Sakai Shimodai, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture
an enclave shrine of Amaterasu Omikami Shrine, located in Kazuno City .
This shrine is known for its blessings in finding love, and the small grounds are filled with cute stone statues of guardian cats and Akita dogs, so many women come to pray here hoping to find a good match
There is also a "Musubi no Bell" that is said to bring happiness when rung by a married couple or other couple, and a free red "Good Match Prayer String" that is said to bring good fortune in finding a partner when tied to the sacred ginkgo tree
In addition, the shrine has a wide selection of original items, such as cutely designed goshuin stamps, and is constantly receiving requests to order these items from all over the country
The deity and blessings of Kazuno Yasaka Shrine
Susanoo no Mikoto (by Utagawa Kuniyoshi) Source: Wikipedia
The main deities enshrined here are the husband and wife, Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto, and Ukanomitama-no-Kami is also enshrined here
As the main deities are husband and wife gods, it is said that the shrine bestows blessings on people in search of love, as well as protection from evil, bountiful harvests, and success in competitions
Furthermore, Ukanomitama-no-Kami, affectionately known as "Oinari-san," is said to grant the blessing of "prosperous business."
Stone statues of cats and dogs that bring good fortune
There are many cute stone statues of cats and Akita dogs enshrined within the grounds, and it is said that petting each one will grant you good fortune
When you visit, be sure to pet these cats and dogs to bring happiness to your heart
Komaneko in front of the worship hall: The "en" on the right is a male cat, and the "musubi" on the left is a female cat
Akita dog "Pukumaru": Always full (Manpuku), good fortune will come to you if you stroke his belly
All-beckoning cat and matchmaking cat: Located under the torii gate, they grant wishes and success in love
Bakeneko: A cat with a long tongue for good luck and protection from evil, and the character for "happiness" written on its back. It will bite bad people if they stroke it
Akita dog beside the stone steps: A smiling dog that brings good fortune, with the words "May the Reiwa era be blessed" written on the back of its head
Kiriwanpo: A long-bodied Akita dog resembling a "kiritanpo" (a type of rice ball) praying for world peace in the shrine office garden
Information on New Year's visits to Kazuno Yasaka Shrine
Please note that first visits to the shrine are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on New Year's Day and the 2nd, and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the 3rd. If you visit on New Year's Eve, you will not be able to receive any gifts
Also, the parking lot can be difficult to find, so when parking your car, be sure to read the directions posted near the torii gate carefully to avoid making a mistake
Kazuno Yasaka Shrine <Information>
Facility name: Kazuno Yasaka Shrine
Address: 22-1 Kaminaedai, Hachimantai, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
So far, we have introduced three unique shrines in Akita Prefecture
Next year, when you visit your first shrine or temple of the year, why not also visit some of these unique shrines and temples in addition to your usual places?
Year of the Snake New Year's Shrine Visit Series List
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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