- What kind of shrine is Oarai Isosakijinja Shrine? Here is a brief history of the place.
- The most popular attraction at Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine is the “Torii (Gate) of Kamiiso” which Mitsukuni Tokugawa saw and composed a poem about.
- Access to Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine
- Parking around Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine
- Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine Official Website
- Recommended around Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine
What kind of shrine is Oarai Isosakijinja Shrine? Here is a brief history of the place.
Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine is located in Oarai-cho, Ibaraki Prefecture.
According to the “Nihon Montoku-tenno Jitsuroku (871),” the shrine was founded in 856 when Ohonamuchi no Mikoto (also known as Okuninushi no Kami), the main deity of the shrine, descended to this place and was enshrined there.
This shrine and Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine in Hitachinaka City form a single shrine.
In the Middle Ages, especially during the Warring States Period (the Satake clan ruled the province of Hitachinoku), the area fell into ruin.
However, during the Edo period (1603-1868), the shrine was restored by Mitsukuni Tokugawa, the second lord of the Mito domain (known as Mito Komon), and Tsunajo Tokugawa, the third lord (Tsunajo was Mitsukuni’s adopted son), and the “main shrine”, “hall of worship” and “Zuijinmon” that remain today were built at this time.
The most popular attraction at Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine is the “Torii (Gate) of Kamiiso” which Mitsukuni Tokugawa saw and composed a poem about.
Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine has an unusual torii gate.
The unusual torii is the “Shinto Isori-no-Torii,” which stands on a rock on the sea shore a short walk from the shrine grounds.
The reason why it stands in such a place is because it is said to be the place where the main deity of the shrine, Okumiki-no-mikoto, descended.
When Mitsukuni Tokugawa, who built and maintained the shrine, came to visit the shrine, he saw this torii gate and composed the following poem.
“Araiso no Iwa ni kudakete tiru tuki wo hitotu ni nasite kaeru namikana”
(The moonlight that breaks on the rocks and scatters into a thousand pieces, and then recedes back into a single moonlight, is a great wave.)
Every year on New Year’s Day, the priests descend to Shiniso to worship the first sunrise of the year.
When you come to visit the shrine, be sure not to miss the “torii (torii gate) at Kamiiso.
Access to Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine
6890, Isohama-cho, Oarai-cho, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki 311-1301, Japan
Parking around Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine
Oarai-isosakijinja Shrine Official Website
Official site：https://www.oarai-isosakijinja.net/