Oarai Isosaki Shrine

This historic shrine was built in 856 and sits on a hilltop on the nature-rich Oarai coast.

The white torii gate “Kamiiso-no-Torii” built on the reef where the waves wash over the rocks is a spectacular sight, and the sea, the wild splashing of the waves, and the sunlight create a fantastic atmosphere.

In addition, the sound of the rough waves crashing against the rocks and the gentle undertow of the waves washing the sand are pleasant to listen to, creating a unique soundscape.

It is especially known for the beautiful contrast between the sunrise and the white torii gate, which attracts many worshippers on New Year’s Day to see the first sunrise of the year from the gate.

The site is believed to be the sacred place where two deities, Okonoki-no-mikoto and Shohikonoko-no-mikoto, descended in 856. According to ancient documents, the sea shone and the gods appeared.

In the Middle Ages, the temple was devastated by warfare, but was rebuilt in the Edo period by Mitsukuni Mito, the second lord of the Mito domain. The carvings on the shrine pavilions are superb, and the architectural style of the early Edo period is still evident today.

It is said that Mitsukuni Tokugawa praised the beautiful scenery of Oarai Isomae Shrine and composed a poem, “The moon that breaks and scatters on its own rock is one moon away from being gone.

The shrine came to be known as “Oarai Isomae Yakushi Bosatsu Jinja” (Oarai Isomae Yakushi Bodhisattva Shrine), and a Shinto/Buddhist syncretism with Yakushi Bosatsu came to be practiced there. During the Edo period, the shrine was called “Oarai Isomae Daimyojin” and changed its name to “Oarai Isomae Shrine” in the Meiji period.

Oarai Isomae Shrine enshrines two deities, Ohonamuchi no Mikoto and Sunahikona no Mikoto. The shrine has long been worshipped as a guardian deity of domestic safety and maritime traffic.

Oarai used to be a major transportation hub, and as you proceed to the temple grounds, you will see the Suishinmon Gate and the hall of worship. In front of the Suishimon gate, there is a water fountain with spring water. This water is believed to be effective against illness and attracts many visitors.

The ceramic guardian dogs on either side of the Suishinmon gate are believed to have been dedicated by people who carried goods on the sea.

The hall of worship was built in the Genroku era (1688-1704), and its simple white wood exterior is decorated with vivid carvings. The carvings are the same as those of Nikko Toshogu, and similarities can be seen between the two shrines.

The main shrine also has a beautiful thatched roof, which was restored after the 2011 earthquake.

The stone wall beside the hall of worship is lined with Daikoku-sama ornaments dedicated by worshipers. After visiting the shrine, visitors can receive lucky charms and ema (votive picture tablet).

The amulet derived from Daikoku-sama is popular and features a yellow bag and an uchide no kotsuuchi (small hammer) design. Rabbit ema (votive tablet) is also popular.

There is also a monument to Kyoshi Takahama’s three generations of poems in the precincts of the shrine. It is also known for the largest torii gate in the Kanto region. The shrine is crowded with visitors for annual events and the first sunrise of the year on New Year’s Day.

The shrine is also closely related to Sakagami Isomae Shrine located 10 km to the north, and it is said that the two shrines form a single belief system.

History

Its venerable history is recorded in documents of the Imperial Court.

According to the “Nihon Montoku-tenno Jitsuroku” (The True Record of Emperor Montoku of Japan), a deity appeared at Oarai Isomae Shrine in Kashima County, Hitachiniku Province, in the 3rd year of Narihira (856).

Later, it is said that Okimiki-no-mikoto (Onamochi) was enshrined in Oarai and Shohikono-no-mikoto (Shohikona) in Sakagane, thus founding the two shrines.

In the “Engishiki Shinmeicho” of the mid-Heian period, the shrine is listed as “Oarai Isomae Yakushi Bosatsu Myojinsha, Kashima-gun, Hitachinoku,” which means “Meishin Taisha” in Japanese.

However, during the Eiroku period (1558-1570), the shrine was devastated by warfare.

In modern times, the shrine was rebuilt in 1690 by Mitsukuni Tokugawa, the second lord of the Mito Domain, and the present main hall, worship hall, and Zuijinmon Gate were completed by Tsunajo Tokugawa, the third lord.

In 1885 (Meiji 1885), the shrine was listed as a “Chu-sha” under the modern shrine ranking system. Today, the shrine is known as “Oarai Isomae Shrine.

In 1963, a torii gate was erected in the sea.

Precincts of the Shrine

Construction of the shrine was begun in 1690 by Mitsukuni Tokugawa, the second lord of the Mito Domain, and the main hall, worship hall, and Zuijinmon Gate were completed by Tsunajo Tokugawa, the second lord of the domain.

The main hall, worship hall, and Zuijinmon Gate were completed by Tsunajo Tokugawa, the second lord of the Tokugawa domain. The hall of worship is an irimoya-style building with a 5-ken girigakuken and a 2-ken beam span.

There is also a monument to the loyal soul of the light cruiser “Naka” in the precincts of the shrine.

Oarai Isomae Shrine is a charming spot that combines history and beautiful scenery, attracting many visitors.