Collect Sacred Kamidama and Make Your Wishes Come True: 3 Shrines to Visit in Iwaki

Since ancient times, people in Japan have visited multiple shrines to pray for the fulfillment of their greatest wishes. Today, this tradition can be enjoyed as part of a journey through “Kamidama Pilgrimages,” which are held in various regions across Japan. It is said that as people traveled from shrine to shrine, their wishes became clearer and the path they should follow began to reveal itself. For people in the past, enjoying local food, sightseeing, and discovering the culture of each region along the way were also important parts of the pilgrimage.

Since 2022, ten shrines in Iwaki City have offered their own unique “Kamidama,” sacred wooden beads featuring motifs that represent each shrine. The Kamidama received as a token of your visit can be threaded onto a sacred cord to create a single amulet. Here, we introduce three shrines where you can encounter the history and nature of Iwaki while collecting these distinctive Kamidama.

A Powerful Story Embodied in a Spear: Tatehoko Kashima Shrine

Located in Taira Nakakabeya, Iwaki City, Tatehoko Kashima Shrine is dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, a deity known for bravery and martial prowess.

According to legend, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami visited this area on his journey to pacify the Tohoku region and climbed a rocky mountain then known as Shiohiyama. It is said that he planted a spear at the summit and looked out over the Tohoku lands ahead. This gave the surrounding area the name “Tatehoko,” meaning “standing spear.” The shrine’s present-day name continues to preserve this powerful story.

The Kamidama offered here also features a sharply pointed spear. Paired with a red-and-white sacred cord, it creates a dignified amulet that seems to encourage its holder to take the first step toward a new path. Connecting the Kamidama design with the story of the land as you visit the shrine is one of the unique pleasures of this pilgrimage.

Tatehoko Kashima Shrine is also home to a Sarutahiko mask designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Iwaki City. Sarutahiko-no-Okami is known as the deity of “michihiraki,” or guidance in finding the right path. After offering your prayers, take some time to walk slowly through the historic shrine grounds and reflect on the path you wish to follow.

Hours	9:00–16:00
Address	33 Tatehoko, Taira Nakakabeya, Iwaki, Fukushima
Access	IWAKI WASHINGTON HOTEL: Walk to JR Iwaki Station, then take the JR Joban Line to Kusano Station. An approx. 22-min. walk from the station.
URL	https://tatehoko.com/

Find Peace Among Seasonal Flowers at Mishima Hachiman Shrine

Located in Taira Kitashiramado, Iwaki City, Mishima Hachiman Shrine is an ancient shrine said to have been founded in 1412, when Taira Takatada, Lord of Iwaki, invited a divine spirit from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura. The shrine was later relocated to its present site to pray for protection against the frequent flooding that affected Kitashiramado. Since then, it has watched over the lives of local people as the guardian shrine of the community.

The shrine grounds are home to two weeping cherry trees said to be approximately 300 and 500 years old, as well as ancient camphor and zelkova trees. Their great branches, grown over centuries, evoke both the long history of the area and the care generations of local people have devoted to preserving the shrine.

The Kamidama offered at Mishima Hachiman Shrine depicts a weeping cherry tree, one of the symbols of the shrine grounds. Its sacred cord is also colored pink, reminiscent of cherry blossoms. The presence of these old trees, which welcome worshippers throughout the year and not only during the flowering season, is captured in the design of the small wooden bead.

After sharing your wishes before the deity and receiving your Kamidama, take a leisurely walk through the tree-filled grounds. Surrounded by the shrine’s tranquil atmosphere, you can reflect on its long history while enjoying a quiet moment to clear your mind.

Hours	8:30–16:30
Address	31 Nishinouchi, Taira Kitashiramado, Iwaki, Fukushima
Access	IWAKI WASHINGTON HOTEL: Walk to the Iwaki Ekimae bus stop, then take a Shin Joban Kotsu bus and get off at “Mishima Jinja.” The shrine is just outside the bus stop.
URL	https://www.instagram.com/mishima80000/

Welcomed by an Ocean-Blue Torii Gate at Onahama Suwa Shrine

Located in Onahama, one of the Tohoku region’s major port towns, Onahama Suwa Shrine is the guardian shrine of the local community. It enshrines Takeminakata-no-Okami and his consort, Yasakatome-no-Okami.

The shrine is said to have been founded in 1201 when a divine spirit was invited from Suwa Taisha Shrine in Nagano Prefecture. Since ancient times, it has been deeply revered by people involved in fishing, maritime activities, and port operations, watching over daily life in this port town. One of the most striking sights on the grounds is the vivid blue torii gate. Its refreshing color evokes the sea and blends beautifully with the scenery of Onahama, making it a distinctive symbol of the shrine.

The blue torii gate also appears as the motif on the shrine’s Kamidama. Its sacred cord is light blue and white, a refreshing combination reminiscent of white waves rolling across a blue sea.

The shrine grounds also contain a grove of zelkova trees designated for preservation by Iwaki City, offering a peaceful space surrounded by greenery despite the shrine’s location in a busy port town. During the annual festival held each May, the approximately two-ton “Sengan Mikoshi” portable shrine is carried through the streets of Onahama. In September, traditional bojutsu martial arts and the lion dance known as “Bo Sasara” are performed as prayers for good health, preserving traditions that have long been cherished by the local community.

After your visit, take a stroll around the harbor and experience more of Onahama’s culture while enjoying local seafood and sightseeing.

Hours	9:00–17:00
Address	23-1 Suwa-cho, Onahama, Iwaki, Fukushima
Access	IWAKI WASHINGTON HOTEL: Walk to the Iwaki Ekimae bus stop, then take a Shin Joban Kotsu bus toward Onahama and get off at “Shishomae.” An approx. 8-min. walk from the bus stop.
URL	https://onahamasuwa.jp/