Iwakiyama Jinja (Iwakiyama Shrine)
いわきやまじんじゃ
The first of the three great shrines of Tsugaru Province, this site features the sacred mountain of Tsugaru, Iwakiyama, as its Goshintai (sacred body). It is a renowned shrine often referred to as 'Oku-Nikko'.
Overview
The enshrined deities are the Iwakiyama Okami (a collective name for five deities: Kenkokutami-no-kami, who is Okuninushi-no-Kami, along with Tatohime-no-Kami, Ugano-no-Kami, Oyama-no-Kami, and Sakanoue no Karita-no-Mikoto). Tradition states the shrine was founded in 780 CE (Hokoki 11) and is located at the foot of Iwakiyama (elevation 1,625 meters). The group of shrine buildings from the Kan'ei to Genroku periods are designated as Important Cultural Properties; their splendor, reminiscent of Nikko Toshogu, has earned the shrine the nickname 'Oku-Nikko'. The annual 'Oyama Sanpai' (mountain pilgrimage) held every September is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The Okumiya (inner shrine) is situated at the summit of Iwakiyama.
Enshrined deity / legend
Iwakiyama Okami (Kenkokutami-no-Kami and four other deities)
Highlights
- ・Important Cultural Properties: Honden (main hall), Romon (tower gate), and Haiden (worship hall)
- ・Okumiya (at the summit of Iwakiyama)
- ・Oyama Sanpai (National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
- ・The magnificent shrine buildings of 'Oku-Nikko'
Details may change. Please check official sources before visiting.