Tsutsukowake Shrine

Tsutsukowake Shrine stands as the ichinomiya of Mutsu Province, located in Tanagura, Fukushima Prefecture. According to legend, it was founded in 807 by the samurai warrior Tamuramaro Sakanoue. The shrine's name actually refers to a complex of three shrines historically known as the Chikatsu Three Shrines: Baba Tsutsukowake Shrine, Yatsuki Tsutsukowake Shrine, and Shimomiya Chikatsu Shrine.

The shrine enshrines Ajisuki Takahikone and Yamato Takeru, connecting it to ancient Japanese mythology and the legendary imperial prince's conquest of the northeastern regions. The shrine's location has changed throughout history; in 1624, the castle master Nagashige Niwa moved the shrine to its present location in order to build Tanagura Castle. Among its treasures are two swords designated as National Important Cultural Properties, donated by Yoshiie Minamoto during the Kamakura period.

Visitors to the shrine grounds will find well-maintained precincts featuring ancient cedar trees over 100 years old. The shrine gate and worship hall display a calm vermilion color that gives them a mysterious air. The Main Hall was relocated from the previous site where Tanagura Castle once stood, while the Hai-den Hall employs special architectural styles that create a solemn atmosphere. Two sacred cedar trees that stand close together are believed to house gods of matchmaking and longevity, and the shrine is said to grant blessings for bountiful harvests, prosperous business, and road safety.

The shrine is accessible from multiple directions. From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shinshirakawa Station (approximately 85 minutes), then transfer to JR Bus Kanto to Iwaki Tanagura Station (approximately 40 minutes). Alternatively, visitors can reach Iwaki Tanagura Station from Mito via the JR Suigun Line in about 120 minutes, or from Koriyama in approximately 60 minutes. By car, the shrine is roughly a 40-minute drive from Shirakawa Interchange on the Tohoku Highway. Parking is available in front of the torii gate along the national highway. Entry to the shrine grounds is free of charge, following the typical practice of Shinto shrines in Japan.