Hanazono Shrine
Northern Ibaraki
Kitaibaraki City
Temples/Shrines
Hanazono Shrine, founded in 795, is surrounded by the lush greenery of the mountains and the sound of babbling streams.
The buildings feature motifs of the monkey deity worshipped at the shrine. As you climb the stairs to the main hall, you'll find a wooden carving of the ""Three Wise Monkeys"" — ""See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil."" Uniquely, one eye, one ear, and the mouth are covered with only the right hand, a rare depiction.
Around the shrine, tall stone pines and cedars, over 500 years old, stand proudly. A large cedar with a hump, known as ""kobu-sugi,"" is said to bring good luck to those hoping for a child.
There is also an 800-year-old sacred cedar tree with a trunk that splits into three, along with other mysterious sights around the shrine.
Every year, the grounds are illuminated during the autumn foliage season, making the buildings and the small waterfall in the precincts appear even more magical.Information
- Address
- Ibaraki, Kitaibaraki, Hanakawa, Hanazono 567
- Access
- By public transport: 30 minute by taxi from JR Isohara Station
By car: 25 minutes from Kitaibaraki IC on the Joban Expressway - Website
- https://www.hanazonoshrine.net/
- Contact
- 0293-43-9212
- Parking
- Standard-sized cars: 60
Microbuses: Allowed
Large buses: Allowed
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