For the New Year’s shrine visit stamp rally “Ashiya Mutsumi no Miya Mode,” which takes you around six shrines in Ashiya City, our third shrine visit was to Ashiya Shrine in Higashi-Ashiyacho!
↑A well-known shrine in Ashiya that really needs no introduction! As expected, it’s a large shrine.
Here it is on the map↓
The address is 20-3 Higashi-Ashiyacho, Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Inside the Grounds of Ashiya Shrine
↑A sign explaining the shrine’s history, enshrined deities, and more
The main deity is Ame-no-Hohi-no-Mikoto, along with 17 other deities (!). The shrine is said to bring blessings for matchmaking, health and longevity, safe childbirth, improvement in the arts and skills, business prosperity, and family fortune.
↑The main hall
↑There was a map of the shrine grounds! Besides the main hall, there are all kinds of other shrines here too.
↑The “Ashiya Divine Ox,” made from jade from Itoigawa, was also enshrined here!
↑Apparently weddings can also be held here, and there was a beautiful building near the main hall. In the lobby, there’s a painting that looks like one of Hiroshi Senju’s waterfall works…! Is it the real thing?
The “Ashiya Mutsumi no Miya Mode” Stamp
↑The stamp was placed in front of a large ema plaque on the right-hand side when facing the main hall.
↑The stamp design featured a torii gate and “Kobano-mitsuba-tsutsuji” azaleas!
In Closing
This shrine is located fairly high up toward the mountains and is some distance from the station, but it has parking, and you can also take a bus from nearby stations to get close to it! With so many deities enshrined here, it’s a very worthwhile place to visit and pray.
Ashiya Shrine official website
Now then, which shrine will be next? Make your guesses and stay tuned for the next update!
