Top 5 Reasons To Visit The Ikuta Shrine Power Spot In Kobe

2. A Healing Spot Overflowing with Nature: The Ikuta Forest

There is a forest located in the back of the shrine compound, with so much greenery you wouldn’t believe it was in the heart of the city. With many trees that are several hundred years old, this forest is a very popular healing spot.

There is a small shrine dedicated to the Empress Consort Jingu, who appears in Japanese legends, as well as gazebos where you can take a break. Listen to the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves as you spend some time relaxing in the forest.

3. Unusual “Water Fortunes”

Within Ikuta Forest, there is a flowing stream where you can get your marriage fortune told through the water.

Please buy a fortune at the shrine office before you enter the main shrine area. One fortune is 300 yen.

Moisten the paper and your fortune will appear, split into different categories like your lucky color, location, place and more. The fortunes are only available in Japanese, but quite unique, so why not try one out?

4. Foreign-Language Fortunes, Photogenic Charms and Ema

While water fortunes are only available in Japanese, you can find English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) and Korean fortunes at the tower gate for 300 yen apiece.

You can buy protective charms at the shrine for 500 yen. This is a charm for improved fortunes. It’s quite cute with its heart shape and pastel-colored traditional Japanese design. There are various other charms that are supposed to help with improved finances, better health, higher grades, and other such benefits.

An ema is a wooden board for writing wishes on, which you then dedicate to the gods. There are also heart-shaped ema that are very Cupid-esque. One ema is 500 yen.

5. Various Shrines Within the Compound for Various Gods

There are 14 subordinate shrines in the Ikuta Shrine compound, separate from the main shrine. Each of them venerates a different god.

Matsuo Shrine, for the God of Sake-Making

The above photo is of Matsuo Shrine, located on the right side of the second torii gate after you pass under it. It is said to venerate the god of sake-making and agriculture, which is very important to Kobe, home to the sake brewers of Nada Gogo.

Daikai Shrine, for Maritime Safety

Daikai Shrine, which venerates Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto, god of maritime transportation and traffic safety, is on the left side of the stone torii gate. As you would expect from the port city of Kobe, many people in the seafaring trade come here to pray for safe voyages.

Inari Shrine, A Super Popular Photo Spot

An increasingly popular place to take pictures is in the northeast corner of the compound, Inari Shrine. Also called O-Inari-san, this shrine’s god is rooted in the everyday lives of Japanese people. Originally also the god of agriculture and marriage, it is currently worshiped as the god of thriving businesses.

The fox which accompanies Inari Shrine is said to be a divine envoy of Inari.

The continuous rows of lacquered torii gates were newly donated in 2016. It is thought that by passing through the torii gates, your wishes will get through to the gods, as well.

Ikuta Shrine - A Spot Brimming with Power

Ikuta Shrine is a convenient walk away from the train station, while also being in touch with nature and Japanese traditions. If you have the chance to come to Kobe, drop by the shrine to utter a quiet prayer. It will surely make for a wonderful memory of your trip.

Produced in cooperation with Ikuta Shrine

Ikuta Shrine

1-2-1, Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0011