【Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine summary】
Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine is located just down the stairs from Sazae Temple Hall. The shrine is located halfway up Mt. Iimori. It is said that the Ishizuka, Ishibe, and Doke families built the shrine in the Eitoku era (1381-1383), invoking the spirit of Princess Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto. The deity is Ichikishimahimenomikoto, the god of water. The deity used to be combined with Benzaiten (Sarasvati).
【Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine precincts】
It is believed that Itsukushima Shrine was enshrined here because of the abundance of water. It may have been mixed with Shoso Temple, which had a mixed form of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and Sazae Temple.
Although not large in size, the shrine has two torii (first and second gates) and is flanked by a couple of cedars that give a sense of time. The shrine grounds were clean and tidy.
【Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine Nearby attractions】
Tsuruga Castle, Sazae Temple, Aizu Buke Yashiki
【Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine Access】
Manager’s Comments
Although the Byakkotai Cemetery and the Sazae Temple are more famous, and there are not many visitors, I personally spent the most time here. I was not feeling so good at the cemetery, but I was purified by the pure water. If you visit the cemetery and then the Sazae Temple, it would be good to visit here at the end of your visit.
1404 Bentenshita, Yawata, Ichimino-cho, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0003, Japan
※Use the nearby tourist parking lot. (1000 yen, but includes a souvenir ticket worth 500 yen)