Iwashizu-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Iwashizu-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Kasuga-zukuri style located in Takarazuka, featuring simple wooden structures covered with moss and surrounded by old trees. The grounds include several auxiliary shrines, such as Atago Shrine dedicated to a fire deity and Takarazuka Suitengū, which relates to water and commerce.
The shrine dates to periods mentioned in the Engishiki, an ancient Japanese document from the 10th century listing laws and customs. According to local tradition, the military leader Katō Kiyomasa kept a tiger he brought from Korea during the Sengoku period within the shrine grounds.
The shrine is dedicated to Susano-o no Mikoto, a deity to whom visitors pray for success in poetry, learning, marriage, and personal growth. The walls feature handwritten illustrations by Osamu Tezuka, the celebrated manga artist, showing how traditional practices and modern Japanese art merge in this space.
The shrine is easily accessible with a walk of about five minutes from Sakasegawa Station on the Hankyu line. Visitors should note that roughly 30 parking spots are available, though free Wi-Fi is not offered, but foreign language assistance including English and Spanish is provided.
According to local lore, the military leader Katō Kiyomasa captured a tiger during his campaigns in Korea and brought it back to Japan, keeping the animal on the shrine grounds. This fascinating story adds a unique layer of intrigue to the site beyond its religious role.
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