Oiwa Shrine

A historic shrine mentioned in the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki, one of Japan’s oldest written records. Ritual artifacts from the late Jomon period have been excavated from Mt. Oiwa and the shrine grounds, and it is said to have been revered as a sacred place where deities dwell for Approx. 3,000 years.

The shrine grounds spread across the western slope of the sacred mountain Mt. Oiwa, where 188 deities are said to reside, and because the approach continues all the way to the summit, many visitors come not only for regular worship but also for mountain pilgrimage.

In front of the Romon Gate (Great Niomon Gate) stands the sacred “Sanbon-sugi” cedar tree, estimated to be 600 years old, and the main shrine enshrines deities including Kunitokotachi no Mikoto and Okuninushi no Mikoto. There is also Kabire Jingu along the front approach, Saijinja Shrine within the grounds, and Sato Jinja Nakamiya along the rear approach.

Widely known as one of Ibaraki’s leading power spots, it is also famous for seasonal flowers, including Asian skunk cabbage (blooming from mid-March to early April) and rhododendrons (blooming from mid-April to early May). From autumn foliage to the crisp air of winter, you can enjoy the beauty of nature here throughout the year.