Kashima Jingu

Kashima Shrine, the head shrine in Hitachi Province, sits in Kashima City in southern east Ibaragi. It is said to have been built in 660 BC when Emperor Jinmu began his reign. A warrior god, Takemikazuchi -no-okami is enshrined here who established Japan, Since ancient days, it has been revered by the imperial court, Fujiwara Family, military generals such as Minamoto no Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu or swordsmen such as Tsukahara Bokuden. People come to wish victory, improving martial arts and deterring bad luck.

The grounds are as big as 15 Tokyo Domes, situated in a sublime forest of cedar and castanopsis. Entering through the big gate, the approach leads to a red tower gate dedicated by Tokugawa Yorifusa, the Mito Domain’s first lord. Going through the 13m-tall grand gate, you will see the worship hall on the vast open ground, then, the main hall with the god in it. Behind it, looms a sacred tree, estimated to be 1300 years old. Farther ahead, the rear hall dedicated by Tokugawa Ieyasu greets you.

About 2.5km west of Kashima Shrine, Ofunatsu has a gate “NIshi no Ichino Torii” which stands above the water of Kitaura Bay (part of Kasumigaura). It was the hub of water transportation in ancient days, welcoming many worshippers in boats. Ukiyoe artist, Utagawa Hiroshige painted the dock at Nishi no Ichino Torii in his Famous Places in Sixty-Odd Provinces.