Admission
Free
At a Glance
The shrine is famous for its rare kobanomitsuba tsutsuji, azaleas with three small leaves, a unique variety found in its sacred grounds.
The city of Nishinomiya literally means 'shrine of the west' and was named after Hirota Shrine, making the shrine more famous than the city itself!
This shrine offers goshuin, but we don't have photos yet. Be the first to share yours!
Free
Look for the hidden owl sculptures throughout the shrine grounds, as legend says these messengers of the gods have the power to cure illnesses and finding one may bring you good luck.
Bring cash to purchase the unique omamori charms, including apple-shaped ones that reflect Aomori's local culture, and consider choosing from the wide variety of goshuin temple seal stamps available, including limited monthly editions and special see-through designs.
Follow the traditional visiting route by exploring all 5 shrines located across the road in the shrine grounds, as this is the official way to properly visit Hirota Shrine and receive its full spiritual benefits.
Visit during late July through August 7 to see the annual Goldfish Nebuta Offering Festival, when you can enter the shrine building to view the colorful dragon and lion lanterns and the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva nebuta displayed above the coin box.
Take time to visit Ryujin Pond in Hiroden-en garden on the shrine grounds, where you can participate in a purification ritual by writing your problems on special exorcism paper and sinking it in the pond.
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Fascinating facts about this place
The shrine is famous for its rare kobanomitsuba tsutsuji, azaleas with three small leaves, a unique variety found in its sacred grounds.
The city of Nishinomiya literally means 'shrine of the west' and was named after Hirota Shrine, making the shrine more famous than the city itself!
Hirota is the only shrine in Hyōgo Prefecture with the Imperial title 'Grand Shrine,' a distinction granted by Emperor Shirakawa in the 11th century that sets it apart from other shrines using 'taisha.'
Empress Jingū founded Hirota Shrine in the 3rd century after the sun goddess Amaterasu spoke to her in a vision, commanding that she and other gods be enshrined here to help achieve political ambitions.
Aomori, Aomori Prefecture
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