乳清水神社

Located in the city of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Milk Spring Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god of fertility and prosperity, Jinbu-tsumi-no-kami. The shrine is situated on the banks of the Kasumigaura, a lake famous for its clear water, which is believed to have healing properties. According to legend, the lake's purity was once so great that it could be used as a mirror to see into the heavens. The shrine's architecture reflects its humble origins as a simple shrine dedicated to the goddess of milk and fertility. The current main hall, a wooden structure with a tiled roof, dates back to 1631. Visitors can still see the remains of an ancient well in the temple grounds, believed to have been used for ritual purposes. Milk Spring Shrine is particularly famous during the Hitachi Matsuri, a festival held annually in August, which celebrates the shrine's founding and honors the god of fertility with a parade, music, and traditional dances.