The power spot representing Ibaraki Prefecture! Kashima Jingu Shrine

  • Ibaraki
  • Sightseeing
Kashima Jingu, one of the three shrines in the eastern part of Japan
Kashima Jingu Shrine, located in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dating back to Japanese mythology about 2,600 years ago. Kashima Jingu is also the head shrine of all Kashima shrines in Japan and is famous for its high prestige. This month's article will introduce Kashima Jingu Shrine, known as one of the best power spots in the Kanto region.

About Kashima Jingu Shrine

Kashima Jingu is one of the "Three Shrines of the East" along with Ikisu Shrine in Kamisu City and Katori Jingu Shrine in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture. It is said that the shrine was founded by Emperor Jinmu, the first emperor of Japan, and like Kasuga Taisha and Izumo Taisha, it has inherited many traditions from Japanese mythology, making it one of the most venerable shrines in Japan. It is also said that Kashima Jingu Shrine is the beginning of a straight line connecting prominent power spots in Japan. If you look at a map, starting from Kashima Jingu Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Mount Fuji, Ise Jingu Shrine, Mount Yoshino, Mount Koya, and Takachiho Shrine are all in a straight line. It is a very blessed place to begin, isn't it?
Mitasaraike Pond, the most popular photo spot

The deity enshrined at the shrine is Takemikazuchi no Okami

Kashima Jingu Shrine enshrines Takemikazuchi no Okami, known as the god of war. Since ancient times, Takemikazuchi Okami has been worshipped as the god of war, and many warriors visited the shrine to pray for victory in battle. It is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, also revered Kashima Jingu Shrine and donated the main hall of the shrine in gratitude for his victory in battle.

The shrine also has a deer park with about 20 deer. Deer have played an important role since the time of Japanese mythology, and are still cherished as the symbol of Kashima Jingu Shrine. If you buy deer food at the store, you can feed the deer! Incidentally, the emblem and mascot character of the professional soccer team, Kashima Antlers, are also based on the deer of Kashima Jingu Shrine!
Deer in the deer garden

The reconstructed Otorii gate

When you enter the shrine from the JR Kashima Jingu Station side, you will see a large wooden Otorii gate towering at the entrance. The Otorii plays an important role in marking the boundary of the shrine, and it is believed that by passing through the shrine's torii, one enters the sacred world from the secular world. The Otorii of Kashima Jingu also collapsed during the Great East Japan Earthquake, but was rebuilt in 2014 after three years as a symbol of reconstruction. The current one stands approximately 22 meters tall, making it the largest wooden gate in Japan.
Entrance sign and Otorii (Grand Gate)

The vermilion-lacquered tower gate

Passing through the Otorii gate and proceeding through the precincts of the shrine, visitors can see the romon (tower gate), which is representative of Kashima Jingu Shrine. This distinctive vermilion-lacquered gate, one of the three largest romon in Japan, was donated in 1634 by Yorifusa Tokugawa, the first lord of the Mito Tokugawa clan, and is now designated as a national important cultural property. The tower gate also has exquisitely carved ranma, a gorgeous and decorative feature that enhances the solemnity of the shrine.
One of the three great tower gates in Japan

Sacred shrine pavilions

The main shrine, located in the center of Kashima Jingu, is a gongen-zukuri structure consisting of four buildings: the main hall, the Ishinoma (stone hall), the Mihiden (hall of offerings), and the Worship Hall, and was donated by Hidetada, the second Tokugawa shogun, in 1619. Prior to this donation, the main shrine building was donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu as a token of gratitude for his victory in the Battle of Sekigahara, but it was moved to the Okumiya main shrine building when Hidetada donated the main shrine building. The entire Kashima Jingu Shrine received donations from the Tokugawa shogunate and the Mito clan in various places, indicating that the shrine had strong ties to the Tokugawa family. In addition, the worship hall of the Kashima Jingu Shrine is a sacred space that is normally inaccessible, but visitors may enter only during formal worship services and weddings.
The main shrine with a solemn atmosphere

Two popular photo spots of Kashima Jingu Shrine!

The fantastic Mitaraseike Pond

At the far end of the approach to the shrine is Mitarashi Pond, the most popular photo spot on the grounds, with over 400,000 liters of spring water per day, which is so clear that you can see the bottom of the pond, creating a mysterious color that cannot be described as green or indigo.
Mitarashi-ike Pond with beautiful clear water

The western Ichinotorii gate floating on the water

The Kashima Jingu Shrine has four torii gates, located in the east, west, south, north, and west directions, and the area surrounded by the four gates is considered to be a Shinto shrine area. The western "Ichinotorii," one of the most famous of these, is a floating torii on the surface of Kitaura Lake near Jingu Bridge, which connects Kashima City and Ushioji City, and is one of the largest torii on water in Japan. It is one of the largest torii on water in Japan. At dusk, it looks fantastic with the setting sun in the background. It is also a popular photo spot, and many tourists visit the shrine to see its seasonal changes, such as fireworks in summer and the clear morning sun in winter.
Ichinotorii" with the setting sun
In this article, we introduced Kashima Jingu Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture. Why not visit Kashima Jingu Shrine to feel its sacred power that has continued since B.C.?

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