The shrine itself isn't very big, but it's super clean and has a real sense of history. There are tons of trees around, so walking here feels really relaxing. The torii gate, stone steps, and the small shrine building all have a great vibe. If you're lucky, you might catch a time when there's nobody else around—it's so quiet you can only hear the wind.
If you're already heading to Kikko Park for a stroll, it's definitely worth stopping by. It's a really chill little spot.
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Kikko Shrine
A shrine dedicated to the ancestors of the Kikkawa family, former lords of the Iwakuni domain, and designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
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This shrine enshrines the ancestors of the Kikkawa family, former lords of the Iwakuni domain. Originally consisting of three separate shrines, it was unified in 1885 and built at its present location on the site of the family’s former residence. Shrines dedicated to ancestral spirits are rare in Japan, and its distinctive layout features the torii gate, shinmon gate, worship hall, offering hall, and main sanctuary all aligned in a straight line from south to north.
The shrine buildings were constructed in 1728 and remain in remarkably good condition, offering insight into the high level of craftsmanship possessed by Iwakuni’s carpenters at the time. It is also highly unusual-and therefore valuable-that the main sanctuary, worship hall, and shinmon gate were all built during the same period. The site was designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1988 and a National Important Cultural Property in 2004.
Throughout the year, the surrounding grounds are adorned with seasonal flowers and foliage, including cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and vibrant autumn leaves, creating a beautiful and serene landscape.
Highlights
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A shrine dedicated to the ancestors of the Kikkawa family, former lords of the Iwakuni domain.
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Shrines built specifically to enshrine ancestral spirits are rare in Japan, and this one is designated a National Important Cultural Property.
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Its distinctive layout features the torii gate, shinmon gate, worship hall, offering hall, and main sanctuary aligned in a straight line from south to north.
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The grounds are beautifully colored throughout the year by seasonal flowers, including cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn foliage.
Photos
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A shrine within Kikko park dedicated to the ancestral spirits of the former Iwakuni domain’s ruling Kikkawa family
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
A
Sorry, we don’t.
Q
Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A
Yes, it is.
Q
Are goshuin (temple/shrine stamps) available?
A
They are available at Shirayama Hime Shrine.
Reviews
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Some reviews are AI-translated.
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I originally just came to see Kintaikyo Bridge, but when I walked into Kikko Shrine, the whole atmosphere felt totally different—so much history here.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 吉香神社
- Postal Code
- 741-0081
- Address
- 2-8-5 Yokoyama, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi
- Telephone
- 0827-41-0600
- Closed
- Open every day
- Business Hours
- 7:00am - 5:00pm
- Admission
- Free
- Access
- From JR Iwakuni station, take the Iwakuni bus bound for Kintai Bridge (about 15 minutes), get off at Kintai Bridge bus stop, and walk about 10 minutes.