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[Kobe City] Popular as a power spot for matchmaking! Ikuta Shrine, one of Kobe's three major shrines
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Ikuta Shrine, located in the downtown area of Sannomiya, is a shrine with a long history, founded in 201. From the history of Ikuta Shrine, which is said to bring good luck in matchmaking, we will also introduce popular goshuin stamps, gifted items, and fortune telling fortunes.
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What are good things and good experiences? There are many characteristics such as having a story to tell, overflowing with the thoughts of the creator, having a history, and being loved by the locals. Have you ever come across a special thing or experience that made you want to tell someone about it? And as a result of telling, someone new leads to something. We think that's what "good" is all about. In order to deliver such encounters to our customers, we discover Hyogo's good things based on the concept of "talk, communicate, and connect", and provide information that will shorten the emotional distance between customers and the region of Hyogo Prefecture.
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Table of Contents
- Ikuta Shrine, one of Kobe's three major shrines with a history of over 1800 years
- Water fortune telling at the power spot "Ikuta Forest"
- Check out popular stamps and gifts
- Great value bus tickets
- basic information
Ikuta Shrine, one of Kobe's three major shrines with a history of over 1800 years
Ikuta Shrine is located about a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya Station. If you walk north along the street called Ikuta Road, you will see the entrance to the shrine, which has a torii gate built using recycled materials from Ise Grand Shrine.
Once you pass through this torii gate, you will come across the subordinate shrines Oumi Shrine and Matsuo Shrine on either side of the red torii gate. If you go further, you will come across a chozuya (purification fountain) decorated with fresh flowers.
A vivid vermilion gate
Once you pass through the impressive tower gate, you will see the shrine building with its solemn atmosphere. The goddess Wakahirume-no-Mikoto is enshrined in the main hall. Wakahirume-no-Mikoto is the goddess who weaves clothes for the gods, and because she weaves threads together, Ikuta Shrine is famous for its blessings in finding love. Locals call her "Ikuta-san."
It is known as one of the three major shrines in Kobe, along with Minatogawa Shrine and Nagata Shrine, and is visited by many worshippers every year.
Majestic lion dogs standing on either side of the worship hall
I found a heart mark on the pillar of the worship hall.
Ikuta Shrine was founded in 201. It was originally located on a sand dune, but in 799, a flood occurred and the Nunobiki mountain overflowed, causing damage to the shrine building.
Later, a man named Tone Shichidayu from Ikuta village walked around carrying the deity on his back, and when he reached the area around Ikuta Forest, the deity became heavy, so it was moved to its current location.
In 808, the Imperial Court bestowed upon Ikuta Shrine 44 households under the title "Kanbe," and since this name was corrupted to "Kobe," it is said that this shrine gave its name to the area known as Kobe.
After praying at the worship hall, be sure to take your time to stroll around the grounds. There are 14 sub-shrines. The lotus flowers in Ikuta Pond, located to the west of the main shrine, are in full bloom from July to August.
On the day we visited, we spotted ducklings being cared for at Ikuta Shrine.
Near Ikuta Pond is Ichikishima Shrine, which enshrines Benzaiten, the goddess of performing arts and water.
Among the subordinate shrines, the most popular photo spot is the Inari Shrine near the east gate. There are 22 red torii gates lined up in a row, and it is said to be popular with foreign tourists as well, as it has a very Japanese feel to it.
The deity enshrined at Inari Shrine is Uganomitama-no-Mikoto, the god of food, rice, and the protection of daily life. He is also worshipped as Inari-sama, and is said to bring good fortune in business prosperity.
A stone statue of a fox, the messenger of Inakuratama-no-Mikoto
Fresh flowers are also placed at the Chozuya (purification fountain) near the Inari Shrine, which is also a popular photo spot on social media.
Water fortune telling at the power spot "Ikuta Forest"
Ikuta Forest, located to the north of the main shrine, is a place surrounded by trees where you can feel nature. The fact that Ikuta Forest also appears in Sei Shonagon's "The Pillow Book" shows how deep the shrine's history is. There is a sacred tree in the forest that is over 500 years old, and the air here is clearer than anywhere else.
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The "Ikutamorizasha" shrine, dedicated to Empress Jingu, is also located here.
A popular spot in Ikuta Forest is Kinryusen, where you can have your fortune read by water. When you float a fortune slip in the river, the words will appear.
It's exciting to wait for the letters to appear
You can get a "Mizu Omikuji" (initial offering fee: 300 yen) at the shrine. If you think you have what it takes, give it a try.
Check out popular stamps and gifts
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Photo courtesy of Ikuta Shrine/The limited edition "Kiri-e Goshuin" is twice the size of the regular one (A5).
If you visit Ikuta Shrine, you should definitely check out the goshuin and gifts. The limited edition "Kiri-e goshuin" (initial offering fee: 1,000 yen) that appears every month and every season has many intricate designs, and they are all very cute.
A limited edition stamp book for Ikuta Shrine in collaboration with Familia
Also popular are the goshuincho (stamped books) and amulets made in collaboration with "familiar," a Kobe-based baby and children's brand.
Photo courtesy of Ikuta Shrine
In particular, "Hagukumamori" (initial offering fee: 1,000 yen) is recommended for families with children.
If you are looking for the blessing of finding a partner, how about the bracelet-shaped matchmaking charm "Tamaki" (initial offering fee 1,000 yen)?
It comes in two colors, blue and red, and comes with a Möbius strip charm, which symbolizes a long and happy relationship.
The original heart-shaped votive plaques at Ikuta Shrine are also adorable.
Ikuta Shrine has a long history of over 1800 years, and is also a place associated with the Genpei War, which took place at the end of the Heian period. There are many sub-shrines within the grounds, and there is plenty to see. As one of Kobe's most famous tourist spots, it is crowded with many worshippers every day. It is also famous for its blessings in finding love, so if you are hoping to find a good match, be sure to visit.
Great value bus tickets
Kobe 1-day bus ticket
This bus ticket allows unlimited use of the City Loop and Port Loop buses that run through Kobe city for 800 yen per day. If you're planning on touring Kobe's tourist sites, use this ticket for an easy and comfortable trip.
Hyogo Amazing Pass
If you are considering touring Himeji and Hyogo prefecture in addition to Kobe, we recommend this ticket! This mobile ticket includes the contents of the Kobe 1-day bus ticket and allows unlimited rides on Shinki Bus route buses for 2,500 yen per day.
(Writer: Nakata/West Plan)
*This article is current as of May 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.
basic information
Ikuta Shrine
Address: 1-2-1 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Phone number: 078-321-3851
Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (charm offering office/temple stamp reception) Closing time is 17:00
Closed: None
Access: 10 minutes walk north from JR Sannomiya Station or Sannomiya Station on various private railway lines. Approximately 5 minutes from Ikutagawa IC or Kyobashi IC on the Hanshin Expressway Route 3 Kobe Line. Parking: Available (70 spaces)
Social Media: Instagram
What are good things and good experiences? There are many characteristics such as having a story to tell, overflowing with the thoughts of the creator, having a history, and being loved by the locals. Have you ever come across a special thing or experience that made you want to tell someone about it? And as a result of telling, someone new leads to something. We think that's what "good" is all about. In order to deliver such encounters to our customers, we discover Hyogo's good things based on the concept of "talk, communicate, and connect", and provide information that will shorten the emotional distance between customers and the region of Hyogo Prefecture.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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