Iwamizawa Shrine - Hokkaido

Iwamizawa Shrine (岩見澤神社) is the main shrine of Iwamizawa City. It is located at 12-jo Nishi 1-3, Iwamizawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Iwamizawa Shrine (岩見澤神社)
Iwamizawa Shrine 

Iwamizawa Shrine details

Step into the enchanting history of Hokkaido's Motomachi, where the echoes of the past resonate through its lush landscapes and vibrant community spirit. Nestled in the heart of this captivating region lies a tale of resilience, tradition, and the enduring bond between the land and its people.

Iwamizawa Shrine - Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Iwamizawa Shrine - Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Following the national initiative to reclaim Hokkaido by resettling samurai families into farming, 277 households from 12 prefectures, including Yamaguchi and Tottori, started settling in the area in 1887 and 1888. In August 1888, they all relocated to Motomachi (present-day Iwamizawa). 

Iwamizawa Shrine's main torii gate
Iwamizawa Shrine's main torii gate

岩見澤神社
岩見澤神社

Iwamizawa Shrine

Iwamizawa Shrine
Iwamizawa Shrine's history board

Iwamizawa Shrine's chozuya
Iwamizawa Shrine's chozuya

The subsequent year, in 1919, witnessed the construction of a small shrine, marking the inception of the Waraku pillar, a sanctuary for the departed souls, and the Ujigami festival, which evolved into a prominent annual event. Through the cohesive spirit of its populace, the village steadily advanced, laying the groundwork for its present-day cityhood.

Iwamizawa Shrine's Main Hall

Iwamizawa Shrine's Main Hall

Iwamizawa Shrine's Main Hall

Iwamizawa Shrine's Main Hall

Iwamizawa Shrine's Main Hall

Iwamizawa Shrine's Ema (絵馬)
The ema or prayer boards

In the 30th year of Meiji, construction was initiated on a hill south of the city, with a donation of 1.853 tsubo of land. On September 14th of the same year, a ceremony commemorating the completion of the second shrine was conducted. This shrine is the present-day Iwamizawa Shrine.

Monuments and Statues in Iwamizawa Shrine grounds

Iwamizawa Shrine's 吟魂碑
Monument of Soulful Odes (吟魂碑)

Iwamizawa Shrine's monuments

Iwamizawa Shrine's monuments

Offering / Dedication (納奉)
Offering / Dedication (納奉)

Iwamizawa Shrine monuments

Iwamizawa Shrine monuments

Iwamizawa Shrine monuments

In 1930, with the construction of the fourth shrine building, Iwamizawa Shrine attained the status of a prefectural shrine. In 1981, commemorating the 95th anniversary of its establishment, Iwamizawa Shrine hosted Hokkaido's inaugural Takigi Noh performance. 

Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu set 1 & 2

Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu set 1
Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 1

Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 2
Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 2

The centennial celebration of the shrine's founding occurred in 1986, marked by the construction of new shrine facilities and an inauguration ceremony celebrating years of reverence and devotion. 

Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu set 3 & 4

Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 3
Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 3

Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 4
Iwamizawa Shrine's komainu 4

At present, Iwamizawa Shrine houses only the deity Amaterasu Omikami. It has a total shrine area of 220.6 square meters and currently serves 20,000 households. What makes Iwamizawa Shrine stand out is the fact that it has 4 sets of komainu in its shrine grounds. Each komainu showcases its "unique" personality.

Team Nicerio visits Iwamizawa Shrine

Team Nicerio visits Iwamizawa Shrine

Team Nicerio visits Iwamizawa Shrine

Team Nicerio visits Iwamizawa Shrine

Team Nicerio visits Iwamizawa Shrine


Last November 3, 2022, my family and I went on a "Culture Trip" Road Trip and had the pleasure of visiting Iwamizawa Shrine for the very first time. This marked my 367th day in Japan as an ALT participating in the JET Programme. It has been our family tradition to visit the main shrine of any city, town, or village we explore for the first time. During our visit, we also made 3 wishes which is also one of the unique traditions that we do whenever we visit a shrine for the first time.

Iwamizawa Shrine Fees

It’s FREE to enter and explore Iwamizawa Shrine’s grounds. However, if you are planning to buy omikuji or avail of the goshuin, be sure to bring cash.

Iwamizawa Shrine Operating Hours

Iwamizawa Shrine’s grounds are open 24/7. However, the shrine office is open only from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Why visit the Iwamizawa Shrine?

Overall, visiting Iwamizawa Shrine in Iwamizawa City is a place to go if you want a place to offer prayers and pay respects in the city. Despite being in the heart of the city, the shrine is surrounded by trees making it a good place to go for quiet meditation. Aside from that it is a must-visit if you collect goshuin.


Getting to Iwamizawa Shrine

 

To reach Iwamizawa Shrine, take the Chuo Bus Midorigaoka/Tetsuhoku Loop Line or Horomuke Line and alight at the "Shiyakusho-mae" stop. From there, it's just a one-minute stroll to your destination.

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Location: 1-chōme-三 12 Jōnishi, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido 068-0032, Japan

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