About Oarai Isosaki Shrine
Oarai Isosaki Shrine (大洗 磯 前 神社) is a beautiful and historic shrine located in Oarai machi a coastal seaside town in Ibaraki ken. The shrine sits on a hill that faces east and looks out over the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy amazing views of the ocean through the upper torii gate. Oarai Isosaki Shrine has three torii gates, the most famous of which is Kamiiso no torii. Visitors can descend a grand staircase and walk to the beach to see Kamiiso no torii. Kamiiso no torii is one of the most beautiful torii gates in all of Japan. The shrine is a popular location to see the sunrise.
The shrine was established in 856, but was destroyed during a war and then rebuilt in 1690 with the assistance of Tokugawa Mitsukuni. Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine is dedicated to two deities, Onamuchi-no-Mikoto the god of fortune and Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto the god of medicine and divine water.
4 Key Features of Oarai Isosaki Shrine
Main Hall
The main hall is located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The shrine was originally a rectangle, but multiple additions have given it a convex shape. There are a total of 14 carvings of which only 10 can be seen from outside.
Zuishinmon
Is the main gate leading to the shrine. It was completed in 1730 and features wood carvings made from a single piece of wood as opposed to many different pieces. Guardian dog statues made of Bizen ware protect the shrine.
Kamiiso no Torii
Is the iconic torii gate in the water. The ground that the torii gate sits on is sacred and visitors cannot set foot on it. Every year during the first sunrise on New Year’s Day, the chief priest prays for a year of peace. The gate faces east towards the ocean and rising sun to represent the spot where the gods landed.
First Torii Gate
Straddles Prefectural Road 173 and marks the entrance of the shrine grounds. It stands at 15.6 meters tall and is concrete. It replaced a wooden version in 1973.
Nearby Attractions in Oarai Town Include: Oarai Maritime Museum, Aqua World Aquarium, Oroshiuri Market, Oarai Sun Beach, Oarai Marine Tower, Mentai Park Oarai, Nakaminato Fish Market, & Hitachi Seaside Park.
Best Times to Visit Oarai Isosaki Shrine
- January 1st: Hatsuhinode (1st Sunrise of the Year)
- August 25th: Hassaku Festival
- November 11th: Ariga Festival
January 1st: Hatsuhinode
The shrine is a very popular place for Hatsuhinode (1st Sunrise on New Year’s Day). When the sun appears, the chief priest descends to Kamiiso torii and prays for a year of peace.
August 25th: Hassaku Festival
Festival to pray for safety and the harvest. Decorated floats with performers and musicians are pulled throughout Oarai.
November 11th: Ariga Festival
Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine welcomes the spirit of Ariga Shrine in Mito. Legend says that Ariga-san of Ariga Shrine was the daughter of Oarai-sama. She returns to oarai machi once a year with offerings to her parents. The journey starts at Ariga Shrine at 6:00 and travels around Mito city before arriving in Oarai by 11:00. Offers of rice, yuzu, and taro are brought from Ariga and seafood is brought from the sea.
Unique Reasons to Go
- Kamiiso Torii is one of the most beautiful and picturesque torii gates in all of Japan
Admission Fee & Hours
Oarai Isosaki Shrine Admission Fee
Free
Oarai Isosaki Shrine Hours
April to August: 5:30 – 18:00
September to March: 6:00 – 17:00
How to Access Oarai Isosaki Shrine
By Public Transportation
- From Tokyo (Ueno Station) take a JR Joban Line train or a Ueno-Tokyo Line train bound for Katsuta getting off at Mito Station *Least Expensive (2 hours 10 minutes, ¥2,310 one way per person)
- From Tokyo (Ueno Station) take a JR Hitachi & Tokiwa Limited Express train bound for Katsuta getting off at Mito Station. *Quickest (65 minutes, ¥3,890 one way per person)
- From Mito Station take a Kashimarinkai Tetsudo Oarai-Kashima Line Train bound for Kashimajingu getting off at Oarai Station (16 minutes, ¥330 one way per person) Note: Not JR Pass Compatible
- From Mito Station take an Ibaraki Kotsu Bus #50 getting off at Oarai Isosaki Shrine Mae Bus Stop. (32 minutes, ¥660 one way per person)
- From Oarai Station take a Kaiyu-go/Aqua World Route Bus getting off at Oarai Isosaki Shrine Bus Stop. (16 minutes, ¥100 one way per person)
By Car
Best Oarai Isosaki Jinja Shrine Parking Lots
- Oarai Isosaki Jinja Parking Lot (100m from Main Hall, Free) Note: During busy times, the forested area southwest of the parking lot becomes an overflow parking area.