Hanazono Shrine, rich in nature

  • Ibaraki
  • Sightseeing
Photo courtesy of Kitaibaraki City Tourism Association
Hanazono Shrine is said to have been founded in 795 by the barbarian general Sakagami Tamuramaro. It stands quietly in Kitaibaraki City and continues to mark the history of the city. Surrounded by the Hanazono Valley and numerous waterfalls, visitors can feel the power of nature at the shrine.

Eye-catching and beautiful tower gate

The large gate serves as a boundary between the clean and pure realms. The beautiful red color of the plaque reading "Sanno Daigongen" stands out against the green of the trees.

Deity of the shrine

The deities are Oyamakui no Okami, also known as "Sanno Daigongen," the mountain deity, Oyamazumi no Okami, the guardian deity of the mountains, and Omononushi no Okami, the god of industry. Look for sculptures and statues of monkeys, the messengers of Sanno-sama, enshrined throughout the shrine grounds!

Cedar trees stretching high into the sky

Kobusugi cedar

The sacred cedar, Sanbonsugi, has a circumference of 8 meters, a height of 50 meters, and is estimated to be 800 years old. It has been revered as a sacred tree since ancient times, as it is said to represent the three deities of the shrine.
One of the most impressive cedar trees is the "Kobusugi," or "bump cedar. Does it not look like a baby in the mother's belly? It is favored by many people for its blessings for fertility, easy childbirth, and marital bliss.

A veritable flower garden! Rhododendrons in full bloom

Photo courtesy of Kanko Ibaraki
Hanazono Shrine is also famous for its beautiful rhododendrons, which attract many visitors in May when they are at their best. The pink rhododendrons are in full bloom and brightly illuminate the shrine grounds. Why don't you come to Hanazono Shrine, surrounded by nature, and ponder the history of the shrine?
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