Admission
Free
Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture
At a Glance
The worship hall contains 14 intricate carvings of birds and plants, but one panel deliberately shows no bird at all. Locals say the bird 'flew away,' inviting visitors to use their imagination.
The shrine's guardians are frog statues instead of the usual lion-dogs. This is a wordplay on 'kaeru,' which means both 'frog' and 'safe return,' making them symbols of travelers coming home safely.
This shrine offers goshuin, but we don't have photos yet. Be the first to share yours!
Free
Facilities
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The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
What this place is believed to grant
Fascinating facts about this place
The worship hall contains 14 intricate carvings of birds and plants, but one panel deliberately shows no bird at all. Locals say the bird 'flew away,' inviting visitors to use their imagination.
The shrine's guardians are frog statues instead of the usual lion-dogs. This is a wordplay on 'kaeru,' which means both 'frog' and 'safe return,' making them symbols of travelers coming home safely.
The shrine was rebuilt in 1690 under the patronage of Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the Mito domain lord known as Mito Kōmon.
Tokugawa Mitsukuni, one of the most powerful lords of the Edo period, personally funded the shrine's reconstruction in 1690 after it was destroyed during 16th-century warfare.
Seasonal celebrations and special occasions
Hatsuhinode at Kamiiso-no-Torii
A New Year's Day sunrise event at the famous seaside torii gate, a major photography and viewing spot.
New Year's sunrise viewing at Kamiiso-no-Torii
Visitors gather at the coastal torii gate to watch the first sunrise of the year between the pillars.
Setsubun
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