The enshrined deity is Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, and the blessings offered include matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth, protection from disasters, prosperity in business, agriculture, and medicine. The shrine's history dates back to approximately 1,500 years ago, when the Haji clan of the Izumo tribe migrated to the eastern part of the country. The shrine was established as the main guardian deity of Iwatsuki, enshrining Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the parent deity of the Izumo tribe. Selected as a "Hometown Forest" and one of the "Top 100 Natural Sites," the grounds, part of the Iwatsuki Castle ruins, are mostly covered with trees, and the approach to the shrine is transformed into a dimly lit tunnel of chestnut trees, making it a treasure trove of wild birds. In 1938, Prince Asaka donated three peacocks, which have been carefully kept as the shrine's symbol ever since. There are also amulets bearing the kanji characters for "protecting evil and suffering." If you are going by car, please note that there are eight other Kuizu Shrines in the Iwatsuki area, so be careful not to be directed to the wrong place if you do not check the address before setting your navigation system.
I was working nearby.
I heard the constant sound of something chirping.
I got curious and looked it up!
And it said there were peacocks there!
So that sound was a peacock! It's become one of the shrines I'm even more interested in.
I was working in the summer so I didn't have the energy to go.
As I passed by Iwatsuki Interchange many times, I kept telling my wife that it was close to that construction site, and that there was apparently a shrine with peacocks there too.
This time, I casually asked her if it was okay to go and she said sure, so I quickly put on my blinker and turned right!
Where are the kids going?
I told them we were going to the shrine! They said there were peacocks there! They said we weren't going to touch them anyway, and they said it was like going to the zoo.
I invited everyone to take a look, even though we couldn't touch them, so we headed off!
Walking along the approach to the shrine, I found it to be even better than I imagined! I'm so glad we came! As I was walking along thinking this, I finally came face to face with a peacock singing, and was surprised to see so many of them.
Perhaps in preparation for the first shrine visit of the year, the shrine was covered with a plastic sheet so we couldn't see the whole thing.
It would have been even more exciting to be able to see the whole peacock!
Afterwards, we all prayed together, took a quick look around, bought goshuin stamps and left.
I'm glad we all came.
I ended up going to the wrong shrine because the name was similar to the one I was planning to visit. However, there was an event going on that day which I enjoyed.
The shrine itself was beautifully constructed and well worth seeing.
It was a charm for praying for victory and there were many different ball-shaped charms, which I thought were cute. I think it would be great for sports fans.
It dates back to approximately 1,500 years ago during the reign of Emperor Kinmei (539-571), when Omikami was enshrined here. During the Heian period, Hisaizu Shrines spread along the Moto-Arakawa River, and during the Sengoku period, it was established as the main guardian deity within the Shinshoji Kuruwa moat of Iwatsuki Castle, making it a historic shrine.
There is a long approach lined with lush trees from the first torii gate to the worship hall, and there is also a peacock aviary. The grounds have been beautifully maintained during the major construction work carried out during the Heisei era.
There is a parking lot for visitors to the right of the first torii gate.
