Visiting the gods of Hitachi, the three shrines of the Eastern Province, a walk on Kashima, Ichino Torii

Kashima Shrine Ichino Torii Pilgrimage: A pilgrimage to the sacred sites that transcend time and space

Kashima Shrine. This place is one of the old shrines in the Kanto region and is revered as the god of martial arts and founding Japan, and by visiting the Ichino Torii gates scattered around it, you can feel the spiritual experience, history, and nature of the shrine from a deeper and multifaceted perspective. In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide that covers detailed information about Ichino Torii, located north and south of Kashima Shrine, as well as its historical background, spiritual meaning, surrounding highlights, and even efficient pilgrimage routes.

What is Kashima Shrine: The land of the descent of the martial gods, its history and divine power

Kashima Shrine is a historic old shrine located in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It was founded in the first year of Emperor Jimmu (660 BC), and has a long history, so long as its name appears in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki. The main deity is Takemikazuchi Ookami. He is known as the god of thunder and the god of swords, and is said to have benefits such as protecting the nation, protecting martial arts, and traffic safety.

Kashima Shrine has been highly respected by samurai since ancient times, and powerful people from the time, such as Minamoto no Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu, have built and donated shrines. The grounds are home to numerous buildings, including the main shrine, the Okunomiya Shrine, the Romon Shrine, and the Budokan, and their majestic appearance will overwhelm visitors. In particular, the main shrine was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada during the Edo period and is decorated with gorgeous, luxurious carvings.

Kashima Shrine is also known as a power spot, and there are special places in the grounds, such as Mitashiroike and key stones. Mitarai Pond is a pond where springs flow out without ever stopping, and has been used as a place for purification rituals. The key stones are stones that are said to have been buried underground to calm earthquakes, and are considered to be the source of the spiritual power of Kashima Shrine.

Significance of the Ichino Torii Pilgrimage: Touring barriers and touching the abyss of the divine realm

Not only are there any important sacred sites in the grounds of Kashima Shrine, but also in the surrounding area. That is the Ichino Torii gate, located east, west, north, and south of Kashima Shrine. The Ichino Torii gate serves as a barrier that represents the shrine's sacred area, and as the entrance to the sacred area, it serves as a boundary that separates sacred space from the secular world.

Pilgrimage to the Ichino Torii gate is synonymous with visiting the entire sacred area of ​​Kashima Shrine, and is thought to provide deeper exposure to the spiritual experiences of the shrine. In addition, each Ichino Torii gate is located in different directions and in different locations, and is said to have different energy. Therefore, it is said that visiting each torii gate will allow you to receive various benefits.

East Ichino Torii: The wooden torii gate on Akashi Coast, the place where everything started
: 588 Jinkoji, Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Akashi Coast facing the Kashima Nada)

Features: A simple wooden torii gate. This is the place that is said to be the first to pass when God comes up from the sea. There is also a legend that it was protected from the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. He is said to have the power to turn his life around.

The east Ichino Torii gate is quietly located on the Akashi Coast facing the Kashima Nada, about 3km east from Kashima Shrine. Unlike other torii gates, it is characterized by a simple wooden structure, and its appearance seems to emphasize harmony with nature rather than artificial beauty.

This torii gate is called the "place of everything's beginnings" and is a special place for those who want to face a turning point in their lives or try something new. Standing in front of the torii gate, listening to the sound of the wild waves of the Kashima Nada, will make you feel refreshed and refreshing.

There is a legend that during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the torii gate was not affected by the tsunami, despite the damage to the surrounding area. This is believed to be due to the divine powers of Kashima Shrine. Currently, a bank has been built and you cannot pass directly through the torii gate, but you can climb the stairs to get a view across the torii gate.

West Ichino Torii gate:
One of the largest vermilion-painted torii gates in Japan, standing above the water: Oki, Onnatsu, Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture (near Jingu Bridge)

Features: A giant vermilion-painted torii gate standing under the water. It was built in the Kamakura period. Tokugawa Hidetada gave it to the shrine. One of the largest water torii gates in Japan.

The Ichino Torii gate, located in the area that can be considered the gateway to Kashima Shrine, and when you cross the Jingu Bridge, you will see its huge appearance. The vermilion-painted torii gates are reflected on the surface of the water, creating a fantastic view that looks like the entrance to a temple floating on a lake.

This torii gate is said to have been built by a monk's ninja, as it was impossible for ships to travel near Mitarai Pond in the Kamakura period due to the rise of the land in Kashima. Later, in 1618, Hidetada, the second Tokugawa Shogun, dedicated it to the shrine, and played an important role as the gateway to Kashima. The current torii gate was rebuilt in 2013, and is 18.5 meters tall from the bottom and 22.5 meters wide, making it one of the largest water torii gates in Japan.

The Nishi Ichino Torii gate is said to have benefits such as prosperity in business and safety in the family, and is visited by many visitors. Especially at dusk, the torii gate illuminated in the sunset is beautifully reflected on the surface of the water, allowing you to enjoy a breathtaking view.

Minami Ichino Torii: Torii of Ryosu Shrine, the key
location for Tone River water transport: 2882 Ikusu, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Ikusu Shrine)

Features: The torii gate at Eiko Shrine is used as a substitute for the torii gate south of Kashima Shrine. It is located along the Tone River and is said to be a place where the dragon gods travel.

The southern Ichino Torii gate is not located within the grounds of Kashima Shrine, but the torii gate at Isu Shrine, located south of Kashima Shrine, plays the role. Along with Kashima Shrine and Katori Shrine, Ryosu Shrine is one of the three shrines in the East, and has long been revered as a god of water transportation.

The torii gate at Ryosu Shrine is located along the Tone River and has long been an important part of water transportation. The Tone River has long been used as an important waterway for transporting people and supplies, and Ikusu Shrine has attracted many people's faith as a place to pray for its safety.

Minami Ichino Torii gates are said to have benefits such as traffic safety and travel safety, and are gaining strong faith in people who work in water-related jobs, especially sailors and fishermen.

Ichino Torii Pilgrimage Model Course: Efficient Pilgrimage Route and Time required
To pilgrimage to Ichino Torii in Kashima Shrine, travelling by car is convenient.

Start Kashima Shrine

Travel time: Approximately 3 hours (including prayer hours and break times at each torii gate)

Nearby attractions: places you should visit along with Kashima Shrine

In addition to the Ichino Torii gate, there are many other attractions in Kashima Shrine and its surrounding area.

1. A quiet and mysterious place located a little away from the main shrine of Kashima Shrine Oku-miya and Kashima Shrine.
2. Mitarai Pond - a pond where springs flow constantly flow, and has been used as a place for purification purification.
3. Key Stone: This stone is said to have been buried underground to calm an earthquake, and is considered to be the source of the spiritual power of Kashima Shrine.
4. Along with Ryosu Shrine, Kashima Shrine and Katori Shrine, it is counted as one of the three shrines in the East, and has long been revered as a god of water transportation.
5. Katori Shrine - A traditional shrine located in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, along with Kashima Shrine.
6. The emotion-filled townscape retains the image of the Suigō Sawara and Edo period.
7. A must-see place for soccer fans, Kashima Antlers Clubhouse.

Enjoy the taste of Kashima, a local gourmet food

Kashima City has many delicious local gourmet food.

Kashima Amantaro's Daibanyaki - A popular shop located in a shopping district near Kashima Shrine.

Kashima Nada Clams are fresh clams caught in the Kashima Nada Clams.

Delicious rice grown in Kashima Rice and Kashima City.

Local sake - Local sake made at a brewery in Kashima City.

Summary: Pilgrimage to Kashima Shrine Ichino Torii, a pilgrimage to the holy land that transcends time and space

The Pilgrimage to the Ichino Torii of Kashima Shrine is not just a tour of the torii, but a pilgrimage to the holy land that transcends time and space, where you can sense the historical background, spiritual meaning, and the breath of nature.

By visiting each of the Torii gates, it is synonymous with visiting the entire sacred area of ​​Kashima Shrine, and you will be able to experience the spiritual experience of the shrine even more deeply. Please take the opportunity to take the pilgrimage to the Kashima Shrine to experience new discoveries and excitement.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.