[ Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture ] How to get to Izu Shrine and important points to note

Introduction

Izu Shrine is listed in the Engishiki, a list of shrines that were officially recognized by the Imperial Court in the mid-Heian period, and has a history of at least 1,000 years.
Because it is located in a fairly remote area within Tosashimizu City, I had seen reviews saying that people had given up on going there because they didn't know how to get there, so I decided to write an explanatory article and actually went to Izu Shrine.

This information is current as of March 2026.

• Table of Contents
• How to get to Izu Shrine
• Landmarks along National Route 321: Kunitachi Park sign and purple "Shinnen-an" sign
• About the left turn point on Prefectural Route 346
• About the entrance (the shimenawa rope on your right is the entrance)
• Caution: Beware of the wire fence along the approach to the shrine
• To the first torii gate (almost Nakama point)
• First Torii Gate - To the sacred grounds of Izu Shrine
• Izu Shrine
• Summary and Impressions
• Related articles

How to get to Izu Shrine

The route is quite confusing, as you leave National Route 321, enter an old road, and then enter another old road, and there are no clear signs, so in this article I will explain it with photos.

Please note that you will be walking for about 30 minutes round trip on an unpaved road, so comfortable shoes and clothing are required.

Landmark along National Route 321: Drive-in Waterwheel (from Tosashimizu City towards Shimanto City)

If you are stopping by on your way from Tosashimizu City to Shimanto City, use the Drive-In Suisha facility as a landmark and turn left at the intersection about 200m from the facility.

There is a yellow sign with a guide to the John Manjiro Museum.

Landmarks along National Route 321: Road signs (from Shimanto City towards Tosashimizu)

If you are coming from Shimanto City or Kochi City on your way to Cape Ashizuri Misaki, go through the Izu Tunnel and then go about 300m and look for the road sign (straight ahead: Cape Ashizuri Misaki Tatsukushi / turn right: Mihara).

Landmarks along National Route 321: Kunitachi Park sign and purple "Shinnen-an" sign

Turn right at the intersection with these two signs (turn left if heading towards Shimanto City)

Follow Prefectural Route 346 (approximately 1 minute, 600m)

This is a two lane road.

About the left turn point on Prefectural Route 346

About 600m ahead you will come across a bridge and a road sign that says " Mihara Village 14km " (although it is faded and difficult to read).
Turn left onto this road.

Continue on Prefectural Route 346 (approximately 3 minutes, 1.3 km)

Caution: From here on, the road becomes narrower, about 1.5 lanes wide. Please be careful not to drive too fast as it can be dangerous if an oncoming vehicle approaches.

About the entrance (the shimenawa rope on your right is the entrance)

The shimenawa rope on the right is the entrance

There is a parking space in front, so please park carefully so as not to obstruct traffic on the road.

There is also a stretch of road with ruts that looks like it could be driven on by car, but it is extremely narrow and it is almost impossible to pass or turn around, so please do not drive on it.

There is also a moss-covered stone pillar and a sign indicating that it is a cultural property designated by Tosashimizu City.

Caution: Beware of the wire fence along the approach to the shrine

For a short distance from the entrance, there is a metal fence on the right hand side.
I haven't checked, but there is a warning sign and I think it's probably an electrified fence to keep out pests.
Do not touch it under any circumstances as it may result in electric shock.

To the first torii gate (almost Nakama point)

About 300m from the entrance, you will walk through a Mori that is not dense but rather well-maintained.

Cross a small moss-covered stone bridge.
From here, continue walking with a small stream on your left.

After crossing this bridge, you will arrive at the First Torii Gate in about one minute.

First Torii Gate - To the sacred grounds of Izu Shrine

Once you pass through the first torii gate, the Mori becomes even deeper and you can hear the cries of various creatures.
Personally, I enjoyed walking while listening to the murmuring of the stream flowing on my left.

If you walk about 350m along this approach, you will see a stone bridge with a railing in the Oku.

Izu Shrine

The stone bridge with railings visible in the Oku of the photo above is the starting point of the stairs leading to the shrine.

It was raining that day, so we gave up on climbing the slippery, moss-covered stairs.

Rather than well-maintained concrete stairs, the stairs are slightly irregular and appear to be made from natural stone, covered in moss in places.
This is a very atmospheric climb, but please be careful as there are no handrails or ropes and the stairs are narrow .

It took about 15 minutes to walk slowly from the entrance to the base of the shrine, taking photos along the way.

Summary and Impressions

Izu Shrine is a historic shrine that has been around for a long time, but it is located in a remote area of ​​Tosashimizu City , so I rarely had the opportunity to visit.However, it is a shrine with a very mysterious atmosphere.

This is a recommended spot for those who love shrines, and also for those who want to take a short walk through a hidden Mori, as the experience of walking the approach path, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes each way, felt more like a stroll but less than a hike, and was very pleasant.

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