Ikawadanisōja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Ikawadanisōja is a Shinto shrine in Kobe made of dark wooden structures with gentle roof curves, surrounded by old trees. The site features prayer stations, altars, heart-shaped wooden wish plaques, and a sacred water source called Kinryūsen where visitors can dip charms to reveal hidden messages.
The shrine dates back over 1800 years to when local people came to pray for good harvests and safety. It evolved into a spiritual anchor for the community, remaining a place of continuous worship and local tradition across the centuries.
The shrine is dedicated to Wakahirume-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with craftsmanship and human relationships. Many visitors come here to seek blessings for love, marriage, and personal connections, making it an important gathering place for people navigating such transitions in their lives.
The shrine is easily reached on foot from Sannomiya Station and is generally open from early morning to early afternoon. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since there are no paved paths directly to the shrine, and visitors should wear respectful modest clothing and keep quiet in the peaceful surroundings.
A special experience is dipping a charm into the sacred spring Kinryūsen, where hidden words appear on the paper slip. Many visitors also report a belief that touching certain stones in the shrine grounds brings good luck, becoming a ritual passed down through generations of visitors.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
