Kanamura Wake Ikazuchi Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kanamura Wake Ikazuchi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Tsukuba dedicated to the thunder god Raijin, built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style with a sloping roof that flows gracefully from front to back. The wooden structure sits quietly among trees, with stone lanterns and sacred ropes marking the entrance as a holy space.
The shrine was founded in 931 by a feudal lord named Toyoda-ko and has been a place of prayer for the local community ever since. It ranks as one of the three major shrines in the Kanto Region dedicated to the thunder god, drawing generations of people seeking blessings for weather and harvests.
The shrine is woven into the daily life of the local farming community, who call on the thunder god Raijin for protection and good harvests. Visitors can observe small prayer offerings, protective charms, and ritual gestures that show how this tradition remains an active part of how people here connect with nature and their ancestors.
Plan a visit during the autumn festival in November or New Year's Day when the community gathers and the shrine becomes lively with events and food stalls. Arriving in mid-morning allows you to experience the main ceremonies and performances, while parking is available nearby though the final approach requires walking up a gentle hill.
The thunder god Raijin embodies two opposite powers: punishing lightning and destructive storms on one side, and gentle rain for crops on the other. This duality is why farmers especially value the shrine, viewing the god as a force that both protects and challenges them.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
