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

The most popular New Year's visit destination in Akita Prefecture is Ohirayama Miyoshi Shrine on the outskirts of Akita City, known as the god of victory and success, and over 100,000 people visit on the third day of the New Year.

While there are many other popular New Year's visit spots, this article will introduce a shrine that enshrines a deity that is not found in other prefectures, as well as two unique shrines especially recommended for women.

Yataka Shrine (Akita City)

Yataka Shrine, located on the north side of the grounds of Senshu Park (Kubota Castle ruins) in the city , is said to have the blessings of ``academic success'' and ``prayers for success in passing the exam,'' and many researchers and test takers visit the shrine on their New Year's visit. I come here to pray.

When it comes to academic achievement, Tenmangu Shrine is famous, but the shrines that are enshrined here Hirata Atsutane, , and Sato Nobuhiro, also an agricultural policy scholar .

There is also Yahata Akita Shrine in Senshu Park, which is close to JR Akita Station, so we recommend visiting both shrines while strolling through the park during New Year's Day.

Yataka Shrine’s enshrined deity and blessings

Two pillars are enshrined together: Hirata Atsutane Otomi no Mikoto (also known as the Divine Spirit True Pillar Adult: Kamutamami Hashira no Ushi) and Sato Nobubuchi Otomi no Ushi.

Hirata Atsutane was also known as the thinker of sonno-joi, and his learning was accepted by everyone from samurai to commoners, and many disciples were born.After his death, they deified him and built Hirata Shrine.

Hirata Shrine was originally built in a different location in Akita City, but was later moved to its current location, and at that time Sato Nobubuchi was also enshrined there, and the company name was changed to Yataka Shrine.

In addition, Hirata Shrine was also built in Tokyo, and this one still exists.

The other enshrined deity, Sato Nobubuchi, is a disciple of Atsutane Hirata, and has traveled extensively through various countries, mastering a wide range of academic fields such as agricultural policy, local products, coastal defense, military science, astronomy, and Japanese studies, and has written numerous works.

At Yataka Shrine, you can receive a wide range of benefits, including ``successful academic success,'' ``prayers for safe childbirth,'' ``traffic safety,'' and ``safety for your family.''

Yataka Shrine New Year’s visit information

After the Saidan Festival is held from 0:00 to 0:30 on New Year's Day, prayers and gifts will be accepted. From December 31st to January 1st, it will be until 7:00 pm, and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on the 2nd and onwards. Until time.

Please note that the shrine does not have a parking lot, so we recommend using a coin parking lot near the park or using public transportation.

Yataka Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Yataka Shrine
• Location: 1-16 Chiaki Park, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0188324496
• Prayer reception hours: 8:00-18:00
• Reception hours for awarded items: 8:00-18:00
• URL: Yataka Shrine official website

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Karamatsu Shrine (Daisen City)

Since its founding in 982 (Tengen 5), the Mononobe family has served as the chief priest for generations.

It is famous for its cedar-lined approach, which is 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 said to be the ``female chief deity'' who protects women, and is a beloved shrine that is worshiped as the deity of child-bearing and safe childbirth.

There are stones in the shrine grounds that are said to bring you a child if you touch them, and couples who wish for a child and pregnant women who wish for a safe delivery come here to pray for a safe delivery.

As you pass through the torii gate and proceed through the precincts, you will find that the shrine building, which would normally be a little elevated, is for some reason located at the bottom of the stairs, making it an unusual shrine even in Japan.

In addition, Karamatsuyama Tenchi-gu Shrine (Amatsuhi-no-miya Shrine), which is related to the Mononobe family, is located within the temple grounds and is unusual.A stone wall with a diameter of about 20 meters was built in the center of a small moat, and a shrine was built on top of it. It is being

At the back of the shrine, there are three holding stones: the ``Haiishi Otoseki'' for child-giving, the ``Tamahoko-ishi'' for marriage and safe childbirth, and the ``Onna-seki (Child Treasure Stone)'' for childbirth, and you can directly pray to the shrine. .

Karamatsu Shrine’s enshrined deity and blessings

The following five deities are enshrined here.

• Kagutsuchi no Mikoto: God of fire
• Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto: Empress Jingu's posthumous name (okurina)
• Toyoukehime no Mikoto: Goddess who controls food and grains
• Takami Musubi no Mikoto: God of creation, also a god symbolizing the marriage of men and women.
• Kamimusubi no Mikoto (Kamimusubi no Mikoto): Same as Kamimusubi no Mikoto, considered to be the god of "creation"

In addition to ``child-bearing'' and ``easy childbirth,'' it also has the blessing of ``matchmaking,'' and is a shrine that bestows powerful power to help women live happily ever after.

Karamatsuyama Tenchigu Shrine is also dedicated to the god of matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth, but there is a unique way of praying.

It is said that while chanting a wish, the man goes clockwise around the shrine and strokes the Tamahoko stone, and the woman goes counterclockwise and strokes the Huisei Otoko-ishi and the Tamahoko-ishi, repeating the process three times to make the wish come true. .

Snakehead Kagura handed down at shrines

At Karamatsu Shrine, where Yoshiie Minamoto is said to have prayed for victory during the War of Nine Years, there is a tradition of ``Jakezu Kagura'' that is said to have its origins in Yoshiie's victory.

Snake Head Kagura is dedicated at the annual festival on May 3rd every year, and is preserved and passed down as an intangible cultural asset of Daisen City.

As you can see, Karamatsu Shrine has a deep connection with snakes, which is another reason why it is recommended for the first shrine visit of the year of the Snake.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

Related article

[Daisen City, Akita Prefecture] “Karamatsu-sama of Sakai”, the god of matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth, and protecting women’s lives

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/29739

Karamatsu Shrine, located in Kyowa, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, is the ``female guardian deity*'' who protects women's lives, and is also known locally as ``Karamatsu-sama of the Boundary'', the god of matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth. It is affectionately called. *Meiikata Morinokami is a deity that protects a woman's life, and is said to bring blessings for marriage, children, and safe childbirth. In Akita Prefecture, it is said to be a shrine worshiped by the Onodera and Satake clans, but in the late Heian period, it became Karamatsuyama Kounji Temple, a syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, and a seated statue of Fukuhonsaku Kannon created by Jocho is also enshrined here. During the Edo period, it was counted as the 18th shrine of the 33 Kannon sacred sites in Akita's six districts...

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Karamatsu Shrine New Year’s visit information

During the first three days of the year, the hours from 10:00 to 16:00 are very crowded.

There is only about 20 free parking spaces available, so if you plan to use the parking lot, we recommend coming early in the morning when there are fewer worshipers.

Karamatsu Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Karamatsu Shrine
• Location: 94 Kyowa Sakai Shimodai, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 018-892-3002
• Prayer reception hours: 9:00-16:30
• Reception hours for awarded items: 9:00-16:30
• URL: Daisen City Tourism and Products Association Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

Kazuno Yasaka Shrine (Kazuno City)

Hijiji Shrine of Amaterasu Mioyajinja Shrine, which is located in Kazuno City .

This shrine is attracting attention as it is said to have good luck in matchmaking, and the small shrine grounds are filled with stone statues of cute guardian cats and Akita dogs, so many women visit the shrine in search of a good match.

There are also ``musubi no bells'' that are said to bring happiness when rung by couples, and free red ``good match prayer strings'' that are said to bring good luck when tied to a sacred ginkgo tree.

In addition, the shrine has a wide selection of original gift items, such as stamps with cute designs, and requests for orders from all over the country are constant.

Kazuno Yasaka Shrine’s enshrined deity and blessings

The main deities enshrined are the couple Susanoo no Mikoto and Kushinadahime no Mikoto, and the other deities are Uka no Mitama no Kami. ) is enshrined.

Since the deity of the couple is the main deity, it is said to have the benefit of ``marriage,'' and other blessings such as ``warding off evil,'' ``rich harvest,'' and ``winning in competitions.''

Furthermore, there is also the benefit of ``prosperity in business'' by the god Uka no Mitama, who is familiar as ``Inari-san.''

Stone statues of cats and dogs that bring good fortune

There are many stone statues of cats and Akita dogs with cute expressions on the grounds, and it is said that if you pet them, you will be granted good luck.

When you visit, be sure to pet these cats and dogs and bring them happiness.

• Guardian cat in front of the shrine: "En" on the right is a male cat, "Yui" on the left is a female cat
• Akita dog "Pukumaru": Always full (manpuku), stroking his belly brings good fortune
• All beckoning cats and matchmaking cats: They live under the torii gate and will make your wishes come true and love come true.
• Monster Cat: Has a long tongue for good luck and warding off evil, and has the word ``Happiness'' on its back, and will bite when an evil person strokes it.
• Akita dog next to the stone steps: Smiling and calling for good luck, the back of its head says ``Good luck in Reiwa.''
• Kiriwanpo: A long-bodied Akita dog like Kiritanpo prays for world peace in the garden of the shrine office.

Kazuno Yasaka Shrine New Year’s visit information

New Year's visit is from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the New Year's Day and 2nd, and from 8:00 to 18:00 on the 3rd. Please note that you will not be able to receive gifts even if you visit the shrine on the night of New Year's Eve.

Also, the parking lot is difficult to find, so when parking your car, be sure to read the information posted near the torii gate to avoid making mistakes.

Kazuno Yasaka Shrine＜Information＞

• Facility name: Kazuno Yasaka Shrine
• Location: 22-1 Kaminawashiro, Hachimantai, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-34-2270
• Prayer reception hours: 9:00-17:00
• Reception hours for awarded items: 9:00-17:00
• URL: Kazuno Yasaka Shrine official website

GOOGLE MAP

summary

So far, we have introduced three unique shrines in Akita Prefecture.

In addition to the places you usually visit for New Year's visit next year, why not visit some of these unique shrines and temples?