Oarai Isosaki Shrine

Oarai Town

Central Ibaraki

Temples/Shrines

This shrine was founded in 856 when two deities are said to have descended upon the coast of Oarai. The two enshrined at Oarai Isosaki Shrine are Daikoku-sama, the god of nation-building and national prosperity, and Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, the god of medicine.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine is associated with the nearby Kamiiso-no-Torii, a sacred gate where the gods are said to have descended earth. This shrine gate stands dramatically on rocks in the Pacific Ocean and attracts photographers worldwide. On New Year's Day, the sun rises directly between the pillars of the shrine gate.
This shrine is also famous among fans of the anime series "Girls und Panzer," which is set in the town of Oarai and uses real-life locations. Many prayer plaques at the shrine feature illustrations of the characters from the anime drawn by visiting fans.

Information

Address: 6890 Isohamacho, Oarai
Access: By public transport: 10-minute bus ride or 25-minute walk from Oarai Station on the Oarai-Kashima Line
By car: 5.5-kilometer drive from Mito-Oarai IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway
Business Hours: Hours
8:30-18:00
Staff available 8:30-17:00
Closed on December 31
Unstaffed on Wednesdays
Website: https://www.oarai-isosakijinja.net/
Contact: TEL: 029-267-2637
Parking: 60-70 parking spots

Map

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Cretaceous Rock Formations

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Oarai Town

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Yukkura Hot Spring Baths

Run by the local municipality, this no-frills hot spring is the perfect place to relax after a day at the beach or sightseeing at the nearby aquarium and fish market.
The building also houses the local sports center, including a swimming pool and gym.

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Lake Senba

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Plenty of wildlife can be found around Lake Senba. Koi carp and terrapins inhabit the lake, while swans and other birds are seen swimming along the banks. Around 30 whooper swans make their nests at the lake between mid-October and March each year. Be sure to observe these swans from afar.

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