Yamatsumi Shrine

Yamatsumi Shrine

Deep in Iitate Village on Mt. Toratori, Yamatsumi Shrine is the rare Japanese shrine based on wolves, instead of the more common foxes or 'lion dog' shisas. The ceiling of the main building, layered with dozens of traditional paintings of wolves, was damaged in a fire in 2013 but was faithfully repainted by students from the Tokyo University of the Arts utilising old photos.

This is a good spot for buying an omamori good luck charm from a vending machine, or reading your fortune - there are both fortunes for general luck and for one's love life, at 50 yen and 100 yen respectively.

There is ample parking near the shrine and toilets on site.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Best SeasonAll Year
Opening Hours

08:30 - 16:30

Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

ParkingFree
Entrance FeeFree
Access Details
AccessToratori-266番地 Sasu, Iitate, Soma District, Fukushima 960-1815
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 45 min drive from Fukushima Station

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