Iwamizawa Jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Iwamizawa Jinja is a small Shinto shrine in the city of Iwamizawa in northern Hokkaido, built in the Shinmei-zukuri style characterized by straight lines and simple wooden structures made from natural materials. The grounds include a torii gate at the entrance, the main prayer hall, several auxiliary shrines, stone lanterns, and scattered trees that provide shade and greenery.
The shrine was founded in 1885 during the early Meiji period and served as an important community space from its beginning. After a major fire in the late 1800s destroyed the original buildings, local residents rebuilt the shrine in 1897 at its current location with donations and traditional craftsmanship.
The shrine serves as a community gathering place, particularly during the annual festival on September 15 when local residents come together to perform traditional rituals and leave offerings. Visitors observe simple customs like bowing twice and clapping their hands twice before praying, practices that connect them to generations of local tradition.
The shrine is about a 20-minute walk from the local train station or accessible by bus, with parking available nearby. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when the weather is mild and the surrounding area is most pleasant to explore.
The shrine is dedicated to two deities: Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, and Ookuninushi no Kami, the god of agriculture and good fortune. This pairing reflects how the shrine was meant to support the community with both spiritual power and practical blessings for farming and prosperity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
