Located in the town of Hitachi, in the province of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Wakasahiganuma Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of the forest and its guardian deity, known as Tsukuyomi-gami. The shrine's main hall was originally built during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) and has been rebuilt several times due to fires and damage from natural disasters. Today, visitors can still see some remains of the original building from that time. The shrine is also famous for its beautiful gardens and traditional Japanese architecture.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Tsukuyomi
- Kami enshrined
- Tsukuyomi
- Coordinates
- 36.0185566, 139.997006
Visitor tip
To make the most of your visit, try to coincide with the Shrine's annual 'Tsukuyomi-gami Matsuri' festival, which takes place in September. The festival features traditional dances, music, and food stalls serving local specialties.
Cultural notes
Wakasahiganuma Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Ibaraki Prefecture and is said to be an important location for worshiping Tsukuyomi-gami, the god of the moon. The shrine's architecture reflects traditional Japanese styles from the Heian period, with a main hall featuring a gabled roof and shachihoko (lion dogs) at its entrance.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) but has been rebuilt several times due to fires and damage from natural disasters.