Isosaki Shrine, A Wonderful Power Spot In Ibaraki

Oarai is a town in Ibaraki prefecture blessed with a beautiful beach and delicious gourmet food, such as angler fish cuisine. It's known as a popular and first-rate tourist town in northern Kanto region. More travelers have started to visit here since it became the stage for the popular anime "Girls and Panzer". This time we'll take a look at Isosaki Shrine, the place responsible for making Oarai popular. A venerable shrine with an amazing view, it's known as one of the Kanto region's many power spots (*1). By using Google Street View, you can experience the beauty of Isosaki Shrine no matter where you are. Please take your time and enjoy the scenery.

*1 Power spot: a place said to have a mystical power to it, a spiritually strong place; places like the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge.

The Mysterious Land Where a Deity Descended

@JNTO

According to a history book from the Heian Period, two deities, Omunamuchi-no-mikoto and Sukunabikona-no-mikoto, descended onto this land in 856. These two deities are the gods to whom the creation of Japan as a country is attributed. It has been passed down that Okuninushi-mikoto who had descended onto this land disappeared into the oceans in the east after creating the nation but returned to this land to save countless people.

It is believed that the beach called "The Divine Gate" was built by Omunamuchi-no-mikoto and the other deities who descended upon this place. It's a mysterious gate built on a rocky stretch washed by rough waves. The views made by the waves and the sky are a must see too.

Praying to Okuninushi-mikoto, The God of Good Luck

It is believed that Omunamuchi-no-mikoto is a a powerful god that brings many blessings to human beings, such as fertile staple grains and recovery from sickness, match-making and giving children, as he is known as a god with many wives and children, as well as the blessings of fortune and business prosperity.

If you have a great wish or a prayer, come to Isosaki Shrine.

This large gate is right in front of Isosaki Shrine, and is referred to as Ichinotorii (The First Gate). It was once a wooden Meiji period-style gate but was rebuilt in 1963 due to corrosion from the sea breeze. The current gate is made with reinforced concrete. It's 15.6 meters tall and 22.42 meters wide, making its sturdy standing sight a view worth seeing.

After you pass through the two gates that protect the Oarai Sea you will come to where Okuninushi-mikoto is enshrined. The main shrine, front shrine, and Sui shrine gates have been recognized as Important Cultural Properties.

The Setsumatsu Shrine - Protecting the Rites of Okuninushi-mikoto

There are instances in shrines where they worship several other gods along with the main god whose seen as the main guardian of the shrine. The small shrines that worship these other gods are Setsumatsu shrines and the other branch shrines. At Isosaki Shrine, there are twelve large and small Setsumatsu shrines with gods that have deep relations with Okuninushi-mikoto enshrined in each of them. The Setsumatsu shrines are filled with miracle making shrines. Since you've come all the way here, make sure to pray there as well.

Yorisugi Shrine and Chagama Inari Shrine

If you make a left turn at one of the gates and keep going straight, a gate will appear on your right. This shrine is Yoriki shrine. It's a shrine that worships Takeminakata-no-mikoto. Takeminakata-no-mikoto is a deity who is the son of Okuninushi-mikoto.

Compared to the main shrine, these smaller shrines are quite modest. Behind this shrine is Chagama Inari Shrine which is dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-mikoto.

Mitake Shrine

If you go right out the main shrine, at the entrance of the road that takes you out of Oarai's pine forest you will find Mitake Shrine, a place that is enshrouded in silence. The main guardian gods of Mitake Shrine are Kuninotokotachi-no-kami, Onamuchino-mikoto, and Sukunabiko-no-mikoto. All of them are deities whom the building of Japan and the world is attributed in Japanese mythology.

It's said that there were shrines here from the beginning when Isosaki Shrine was first built. They're small modest shrines, but the air around them is special, and you are sure to feel yourself surrounded by a refreshing, spiritually charged atmosphere.

In Conclusion

Isosaki Shrine is a highly recommended sightseeing spot even out of the countless leisure spots within Oarai. You should be able to enjoy a fulfilling vacation by seeing this blessed scenic area and potent power spot. You'll be able to enjoy the appeals of Isosaki shrine even more by preparing in advance. Please get a firm grasp on this article and the gods enshrined here, and go out on a trip to become wonderfully soothed and recharged.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine

〒311-1301 6890 Isohama-cho, Oarai-cho, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Pr...

Said to have been founded in 856, this shrine has a history of over 1,100 years. The view overlooking the sea from the precincts is wonderfu...