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• ueda

Boost Your Health, Love, and Luck at Historic Power Spots! Traveling Through Eastern Japan.

July 8, 2024 05:00 PM update

Written by Haruka Kuriyama / Mapping by Miwako Kobayashi

Temple and Shrinevisitshavebecometrendylately, so we are now introducing a Tour of Power Spots inEastern Japan.Why not try something different this year andexperienceyour very own 'Hatsumode'  (first shrine visit of the year)? Welcome thenew year with a fresh start at a historic power spottorejuvenate yourmind and body!

This route starts inAizu-Wakamatsu Station, take the local line to Koriyama Station, transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station, and switch to the local line to Oyama Station. From Oyama Station, transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen toOmiya Station, then change tothe Hokuriku Shinkansen to Ueda Station. Next, takethe Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takasaki Station, transfer to the Joetsu Shinkansen toUrasa Station, and finally, take the local line to Muikamachi. This route allows for flexibility in transportation options, including Highway buses. As winter conditions may affect transportation access due to snow, checking before traveling is advised.

“Tsurugajo Inari Shrine” - Aizu - Wakamatsu City, Power Spot for Prayers of Fortune and Prosperity Popular for New Years, Exam Succe ss, and Prosperous Business Wishes .

Aizu Wakamatsu, a castle town with a long history, is home toa number of power spots.We recommend exploring the city’s power spots:Jokoko-ji Temple, home to the'Meguriai Kannon'(Goddess of Mercy), to Asahi Shrine, where the healing waters ofShimizu are said toremain, to the Aizu Clan's Matsudaira Family Mausoleum, designated as a National Historic Site.Here we willintroduce Tsurugajo Inari Shrine (pictured),apower spots within Tsuruga Castle.

Recommended sight seeing spot

“Tsurugajo Inari Shrine”

Tsurugajo Inari Shrine (pictured), located within Tsurugajo Castle, has been standing since the castle's inception.According to legend,the Ashina clan,who initially built the predecessor to Tsurugajo Castle, struggling with the castle`s layout prayed at the Tanaka Inari Shrine.They purportedly had a divine dream, whereupon, the following day, they proceeded with the castle's construction based on fox footprints in the freshly fallen snow. It is said that this led to the creation of the renowned castle. Furthermore, within Tsurugajo Castle, there is a "Heart Stone" located in the "Mushahashiri (stone stairs)," which has gained popularity as a powerspot in recent years.It’s even rumored that couples who find this stone together are destined to be united.

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Address: 1 - 1 Outemachi, Aizu - wakamatsu city, Fukushima

“Suga Shrine” - Oyama City , A venerable shrine with a history dating back to 1070! Famous spot for love fulfil lment, reconciliation, and spiritual power. A Power Spot for Love, Fulfilment , Reconciliation, and Spiritual Power Dating back to 1070!

Oyama Cityboasts a number of power spots,includingthe site of the ruins of the Oyama-juku Wakihonjin Inn, where Emperor Meiji rested during histravels, Myokenji Temple with its Ogura Hyakunin Isshupoetryand dragon painting, and the Oyama Conference Site,wheresome believe marked the beginning of Tokugawa Ieyasu's reign.All of these can be explored on foot, adding to their allure.Here we will introduce you to Suga Shrine, which enshrines the guardian deity of Gion Castle (pictured).

Recommended sight seeing spot

Suga Shrine

Suga Shrine was established by Fujiwara no Hidesato in April 940 (Tenkai 3).It is said that during the rebellion led by Taira no Masakado, Hidesato prayed to Susanoo-no-Mikoto for victory in battle to which his prayers were answered.As a result,he enshrined a divine spirit from the Gion Shrine in Kyoto (Yasaka Shrine). According to another account, Tokugawa Ieyasu held a military council known as the Oyama Conference within the shrine grounds in July 1600 (Keicho 5), praying for victory in the Battle of Sekigahara, which was granted. The stone-paved approach to Suga Shrine, stretching about 300 meters, is lined with keyaki and icho trees,showing expressions throughout the seasons. At night, the scarlet lanterns create an un believable atmosphere.

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Address: 1-2-4 MIyamoto-cho, Oyama City, Tochigi

“Ikushimatarushima Shrine” - Ueda City , The Shrine That Enshrines Two Gods and is Called Japan's General Guardian .

People recognize Ueda City as a Japan Heritage site for its stories and folklore surrounding the traditions of Shinshu Ueda and the Shiodaira Plains. The line of light cast by the summer solstice sunrise, known as the ley line, connects the Shina no Kokubunji Temple, which houses the Great Buddha (the sun), the Ikushima Ashima Shrine (the land;pictured) , and Bessho Onsen (the sacred site) in the foothills of Mt. Okamidake, reputed to be the oldest hot spring in Shinshu.

Recommended sight seeing spot

Ikushimatarushima Shrine

Ikushima Tarushima Shrine (pictured) is one of the oldest shrines in Shinano, enshrining two deities: Ikushima no Okami, who bestows vitality upon all living beings, and Tarushima no Okami, who grants contentment to all living beings. Additionally, the Sessha (lower shrine) houses Suwa Okami. Today, many people visit for prayers, including home safety, good marriages, children's blessings, health, and busi ness prosperity.

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Address: 701 Nakaikenishi, Shimonogo, Ueda City, Nagano

“Untoan” - Minamiuonuma City , Power Spot with 1300 Years of History! Minamiuonuma City's "Undoan": Where You Can Drink the Spring Water Known as the Water of Long evity .

Minamiuonuma City is also home to power spots including Mount Hakkai, where it is said that Kama-no-Kami Nakatomi received divine revelation and established a shrine at his residence (known as Omuro, currently Rokugome) . Since ancient times, the faith in Mount Hakkai has spread around the Shugendo temples at the foot of the mountain with popular spots such as Hakkai-san Songo Shrine and Hakkai Shrine. This timewe will showcase the Untoan temple (pictured) where Uesugi Kenshin and Naoe Kanetsugu studied in their childhoods.

Recommended sight seeing spot

Untoan

Approximately 1,300 years ago during the Nara period, it is said that the mother o f Fujiwara no Fusasaki, a grandson of Fujiwara no Kamatari,dedicated to a pious life and established a hermitage here and used the sacred spring water from Mount Kinjo to heal many sick patients. After her passing, Fusasaki visited this place with a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (the Healing Buddha) to honor his mother's memory, establishing the Kinjozan Unkotoan. Subsequently, for about 600 years, it flourished as a nunnery affiliated with the Ritsu sect of Buddhism,mostly known for aiding women. In the Muromachi period, Uesugi Norizane, the Kantō Kanrei, inherited the hermitage due to his familial ties with the Fujiwara clan and founded the Soto sect ‘Untoan Godokoku Zen-an’. Since then, it has prospered as a prominent Zen training center in the Hokuriku region. They also held an event featuring the New Year's Eve bell ringing (pictured) here.

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Address: 660 Unto, MInamiuonuma City, Niigata

A Journey to Welcome the New Year with New Resolve by Touring Historical Power Spots

For many, the year's first shrine or temple visit is a local affair. It's a time for expressing gratitude for the past year and offering greetingstothe new one. Why nottakea journey to power spots as part of your New Year's tradition? Whether you're afan of temple and shrine visits, it's a chance to embark on a different kind of first visit for the year!