
Iwaki Yumoto Onsen Shrine
The Shinto gods of hot spring water and medicine are the enshrined deities of this shrine. This Onsen Shrine is widely thought of as being Iwaki Yumoto Onsen town’s own local Shinto deity.
In the year 806, the holy priest Tokuichi constructed Hattachi-Yakushi Temple as a place of worship for the Buddhist deity who has the ability to ensure the safe voyage of seafarers. The temple grounds are extremely beautiful in spring when the hydrangeas bloom, earning the temple the local nickname ‘Hydrangea Temple’.
In front of Hattachi-Yakushi Temple is Bentenjima Island and Shrine, and the Hattachi Coastline, which connects the mainland with the island. The Hattachi Coast is covered in unique gravel, which has traditionally been thought to have healing properties. However, removing a stone and bringing it home can have the opposite effect.
Website | https://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/spot/10237(Japanese) |
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Contact | Iwaki Tourism and City Planning Bureau (+81) 246-44-6545 (+81) 246-44-6545 |
Best Season | All Year |
Parking | Space for 30 cars |
Entrance Fee | Free |
Access | 89 Yokouchi, Tanoami, Hisanohamamachi Iwaki City View directions |
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Getting there | By Car: 10 min from Iwaki Yotsukura I.C. off the Joban Expressway By Train: 5 min by taxi from Hisanohama Station (JR Joban Line) |
The Shinto gods of hot spring water and medicine are the enshrined deities of this shrine. This Onsen Shrine is widely thought of as being Iwaki Yumoto Onsen town’s own local Shinto deity.
Tenzan Bunko is a quaint old-fashioned house stood in beautiful Kawauchi Village, which has been opened up as a museum. This house was presented by the village to the famous Japanese poet Kusano Shinpei. Kusano found inspiration to create many of his works at Tenzan Bunko, and this house now serves as the venue for the annual Tenzan Poetry Festival, which gives local people and poets a place to meet and network.
Founded over seven hundred years ago, Suzumigaoka Hachiman Shrine came under the aegis of the Soma clan in the sixteenth century, whereupon warlord Soma Masatane rebuilt its halls with zelkova wood. It was known as Soma Nikko at the time for being the northern equivalent of Nikko's Toshugu Shrine.Hachiman shrines are devoted to the warrior deity of the same name, seen historically as a protector of the nation, as well as someone prayed to for protections from illness and success in personal life.The shrine is an excellent trip both in spring, when the road leading to the shrine is sheltered with parallel rows of cherry trees, or in autumn, when the great gingko tree by the shrine building is a vibrant yellow.
A massive field of nanohana flowers that first bloomed in Spring 2012, bringing great joy to the community. Since 2013 to today, huge flower fields and mazes are organized for the public to come and enjoy entirely for free. Children can receive prizes for completing the maze and visitors of all ages are encouraged to walk through the maze and have fun. Takayuki Ueno is a local farmer and creator of the Nanohana Flower Maze, planting the first flowers here in November 2011; eight months after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Click here to read more about his inspiring story.
The Shinto gods of hot spring water and medicine are the enshrined deities of this shrine. This Onsen Shrine is widely thought of as being Iwaki Yumoto Onsen town’s own local Shinto deity.
This is the shrine of the guardian deity of the Soma Domain, and a ceremony site of the Nomakake ritual which takes place during the exhilarating Soma Nomaoi Festival. Somei Yoshino cherry blossom and weeping cherry trees light up the shrine grounds in spring, making Soma Odaka Shrine a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.
Nomaoi Street Meijo Hall has been established in the building of the former Matsumoto Brewery, which was a well-known brewery started in the late Edo Period. The hall now primarily functions as exhibition space, lending its unique kura (Japanese warehouse) rooms to host art and photo exhibitions as well as musical events. There are also a couple of small permanent exhibitions about life in the Meiji Period. The relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant Shokusaian is also popular with visitors.
Shiramizu Amidado Temple (Amitabha Hall) was constructed in 1160 by Princess Tokuhime of the Oushu Fujiwara clan, which built the "golden culture" in Oushu (the present Tohoku Region). It is the only building in Fukushima Prefecture that has been designated as a national treasure. Inside the hall stands a wooden statue of Amida Nyorai as well as a number of other Buddhist statues such as Kannon Bosatsu, Seishi Bosatsu, Jikoku Tenno, and Tamon Tenno.The garden, called Jodo Teien (Jodo, or "the pure land", is the Buddhist paradise) is a realm of natural beauty in every season. The scenery is especially breathtaking in summer when the lotus flowers are in bloom, prompting one famous writer to liken the garden to a mythical paradise.