Sacred Shrines and Temples

Ibaraki Prefecture preserves a diverse range of spiritual sites, from the coastal Kamiiso-no-Torii gate at Oarai Isosaki Shrine to the mountain-bound temples of the Bando Kannon Pilgrimage. This collection includes Kasama Inari Shrine, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines, and Mito Tōshō-gū, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Visitors can explore architectural styles ranging from the Muromachi-period halls at Satake-ji to the Aiki-jinja, a shrine established by the founder of aikido.

Tōshō-gū

Mito Tōshōgū is the memorial shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine

Oarai Isosaki Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ōarai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It has three torii gates leading into the ocean.

神磯の鳥居

A iconic stone torii gate belonging to Oarai Isosaki Shrine, situated on a rocky reef in the Pacific Ocean. It is a notable site for viewing the sunrise.

Kasama Inari Shrine

Kasama Inari Shrine is one of the three largest Inari Okami shrines in Japan, having been awarded the ancient court rank of Senior First…

Bando No.24 Rakuho-ji Amabiki-kan-non

The 24th site of the Bando Pilgrimage, this Shingon temple is known for its Amabiki Kannon statue and the peacocks that roam the temple grounds.

Bando No.28 Ryuu-sho-in

A Tendai Buddhist temple and the 28th station of the Bando Pilgrimage. The site features a main hall and Niomon gate designated as cultural properties.

Bando No.25 Oomi-do

Located on the slopes of Mount Tsukuba, this Shingon temple serves as the 25th stop on the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Bando No.22 Satake-ji

The 22nd Bando Pilgrimage temple, featuring a main hall with a thatched roof built during the Muromachi period. It was the family temple of the Satake clan.

Bando No.26 Kiyotaki-ji

The 26th station of the Bando Pilgrimage, this Shingon temple is located at the foot of Mount Tsukuba and is dedicated to the Thousand-Armed Kannon.

法雲寺

A Rinzai sect temple in Tsuchiura characterized by its castle-like fortifications. It houses several nationally designated Important Cultural Properties and historical documents.

大杉神社

Often called the 'Nikko of Hitachi,' this shrine is famous for its elaborate, colorful wood carvings and serves as the head of approximately 670 Osugi shrines.

Aiki-jinja

The Iwama Dōjō is a dōjō built by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969.

Suzume-jinja

The guardian shrine of the former Koga domain, originally founded in the 9th century. It remains a central site for local festivals and Shinto traditions.