Iwatsutsukowake Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Iwatsutsukowake Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Ishikawa Prefecture featuring simple wooden buildings with gabled roofs and quiet stone pathways throughout the grounds. The compound holds two main halls and several smaller auxiliary shrines connected by shared worship areas where visitors approach to make offerings.
The shrine was founded over a thousand years ago during Emperor Kosho's reign by imperial decree and received visits from emperors for ceremonial purposes across the centuries. Despite suffering destruction during periods of conflict, it retained its importance, with influential figures like Toyotomi Hideyoshi recognizing it as a regional guardian.
The shrine holds the rank of ichinomiya, making it the most important shrine in its region and a central gathering place for the local community across generations. This status shapes how people use the space today, returning regularly for prayers and traditional ceremonies that connect them to the deities believed to dwell here.
Visitors typically pass through the main gate and rinse their hands and mouth at a water basin before entering the prayer area to prepare mentally for worship. The grounds are easy to navigate and provide ample space to walk at your own pace while exploring the different shrines.
According to legend, the deity Hiruko was once washed ashore and left five special stones here known as Goshiki-no-Ishi, which are still marked near the entrance today. These ancient stones form a quiet link to the shrine's earliest origins and invite visitors to connect with its ancient roots.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
