東国三社の一社です。
伊勢神宮を参拝した後、香取神宮には既に参拝していたため、今回、鹿島神宮と息栖神社を巡りました。
東関東自動車道の終点(延伸計画あり)である潮来(いたこ)ICから車で約30分です。
私が訪れた際は最寄りの市営駐車場を利用しました。おそらく神宮から最も離れた駐車場ですが、それでも入口までは徒歩3分ほどです。料金は500円で、広く停めやすい印象でした。神宮周辺の民間駐車場も500円前後でしたので、運転や駐車にあまり慣れていない方は、市営駐車場を利用すると安心だと思います。
参拝者は香取神宮と同様に多く、週末は特に賑わっていました。鹿島神宮は本殿だけでなく、奥宮、要石、御手洗池まで歩いて参拝するのがおすすめです。一通り巡るとそれなりの距離があり、ちょっとした散策も楽しめます。私が訪れた週末は、奥宮周辺は10分以上並ぶほど混雑していました。
御朱印は整理券方式で、私が訪れた際は受け取るまで20分以上かかりました。時間に余裕がない方は、先に御朱印をお願いしてから境内を巡ると効率的かもしれません(本来は参拝後にいただくのが正式な作法かと思います)。
境内では鹿に餌をあげることができます。奈良公園のような鹿せんべいではなく、餌はニンジンで、境内の売店で購入できます。
English follows.
One of the three sacred shrines known as the Togoku Sansha (Three Great Shrines of the Eastern Provinces).
After visiting Ise Grand Shrine and previously visiting Katori Jingu, I completed my pilgrimage by visiting Kashima Jingu and Ikisu Shrine.
Kashima Jingu is about a 30-minute drive from Itako Interchange, the current eastern terminus of the Higashi-Kanto Expressway (which is planned to be extended in the future).
I parked at the nearest municipal parking lot. Although it is probably the farthest parking area from the shrine, it is still only about a three-minute walk to the entrance. The parking fee was 500 yen, and the lot was spacious and easy to use. Since the nearby private parking lots were similarly priced, I think the municipal parking lot is a good choice, especially for those who are less comfortable with parking.
Like Katori Jingu, the shrine attracts many visitors, especially on weekends. I recommend visiting not only the main shrine but also Okunomiya, the Kaname-ishi (Keystone), and Mitarashi Pond. Walking the entire route makes for a pleasant stroll. During my weekend visit, I had to wait more than 10 minutes to reach Okunomiya because of the crowds.
Goshuin (shrine stamps) were issued using numbered tickets, and I waited more than 20 minutes to receive mine. If you’re short on time, it may be more efficient to request your goshuin first and then explore the shrine grounds (although traditionally, receiving a goshuin after offering your prayers is considered proper etiquette).
You can also feed the deer kept within the shrine grounds. Unlike the deer at Nara Park, they are fed carrots rather than deer crackers, which can be purchased at the shrine shop.