IBARAKI

Hitachinokuni Izumo Taisha

Discover a shrine of powerful connections, where the spirit of Izumo lives in eastern Japan.

Hitachinokuni Izumo Taisha stands on a hillside in Kasama City, bringing the traditions of Izumo Taisha to the Kanto region.

Temples & Shrines

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A shrine dedicated to the god of matchmaking and fortune

Hitachinokuni Izumo Taisha was established in 1992 after a divided spirit was enshrined from the famous Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Shimane Prefecture, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines. The shrine enshrines Okuninushi no Okami, a central deity in Japanese mythology recorded in the Kojiki, Japan’s oldest chronicle of myths compiled in the 8th century. According to legend, Okuninushi worked together with the deity Sukunahikona no Mikoto to create and cultivate the land of Japan. Over time, he came to be widely revered as a god of matchmaking, prosperity, agriculture, medicine, and protection from misfortune. Affectionately known as “Daikoku-sama,” the deity continues to draw many visitors who come to pray for relationships, good fortune, and success in life.

The shrine’s architecture follows the traditional Taisha-zukuri style associated with Izumo Taisha, one of the oldest forms of shrine architecture in Japan. The main sanctuary is constructed entirely from fragrant hinoki cypress, a material long valued in sacred architecture for its strength, durability, and elegant scent. At the entrance stands an impressive Myojin-style torii gate made from locally quarried Inada Mikage stone, rising about 11 meters high. Passing through the gate, visitors encounter a spacious shrine precinct where the scale of the buildings and the careful use of natural materials reflect the architectural traditions connected to Izumo Taisha itself.

Inside the worship hall hangs a massive sacred shimenawa rope measuring about 16 meters in length and weighing roughly six tons, making it one of the largest in Japan. In Shinto belief, shimenawa mark the boundary of sacred space where divine presence is believed to dwell. Above the rope stretches the dramatic ceiling painting “Hitachi no Kumo” (Clouds of Hitachi) by artist Okuda Kodo, spanning an area equivalent to 42 tatami mats and shimmering with gold and silver leaf. Beyond the main buildings, the shrine grounds also include several unique facilities such as a glass-blowing studio, a restaurant, a contemporary art gallery, and even a memorial tree-burial garden. Together with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside from the hillside setting, these elements make the shrine a place where spiritual tradition meets modern cultural experiences.

Address

2006 Fukuhara, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Phone number

+81-296-74-3000

Business hours

Gate hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Goshuin stamps and amulets: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm)

WEB site

https://izumotaisha.or.jp/

Digital Map