Mito Daishi Rokujizoji Temple
Founded in 807, Mito Daishi Rokujizoji Temple has long been known as a sacred place for safe childbirth and child-rearing. It is especially popular during the Japanese tradition of omiyamairi, a ceremony held around 30 days after a child’s birth to pray for lifelong health and good fortune, drawing parents and children from across the Kanto region.
It is the family temple of the Shogunate and the Mito Tokugawa family and is one of the best spots in Ibaraki Prefecture to see the cherry blossoms that bloom from mid-March to early April. Approximately 50 weeping cherry trees are in full bloom, including a 200-year-old weeping cherry tree that is said to be a descendant of a tree admired by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the second Daimyo (feudal lord) of the Mito Domain. There are also other ancient trees on the temple grounds, such as a giant cedar and ginkgo estimated to be around 1,000 years old. Seasonal flowers and foliage adorn the temple throughout the year, creating a stunningly bea…
