Kinomiya Shrine

Known as Kinomiya Daimyojin since ancient times, Kinomiya Shrine has been worshipped as a god of good fortune and good luck.

The shrine enshrines the deities Nippon Buson, god of valor and determination; Igumugarumikoto, god of business prosperity and physical health; and Omikiki-no-mikoto, god of trees and nature protection.

There are two giant camphor trees on the shrine grounds, which are designated as national natural monuments.

The giant camphor tree next to the main shrine is over 2,000 years old, with a height of 20 meters and a trunk circumference of 23 meters, making it the second largest camphor tree in Japan.

The atmosphere of this camphor tree is like that of an eldest child, and it is said that one round of its trunk will prolong its life for a year and make one’s wish come true. For this reason, it attracts many worshippers.

According to shrine legend, the shrine was founded in 710. A fisherman noticed that a tree root was caught three times in his net, and that it looked like the image of a god.

The fisherman enshrined the image of the god under a nearby pine tree, and offered barley dumplings he had with him.

That night, the god Gojumugumemikoto appeared to the fisherman in his dream and told him that the noise of the sea was disturbing his ears.

This shrine is also famous as a power spot. Recently, it has been featured in the media as one of the best power spots in Japan, with the chi of the mountains and the chi of water.

A café and rest area are attached to the Sanshuden (temple) on the shrine grounds, where visitors can relax after visiting the shrine.

The “Raifuku sweets” and soft-serve ice cream made from “mugi-kogashi” (barley flour), a favorite food of the deities of Raigu Shrine, are very popular. Visitors can also enjoy dining.

In summer, the largest summer festival in Atami, the “Tropical Wheat Strawberry Festival,” is held. This festival is a float competition among the various townships of Atami, and different musical performances enliven the summer evenings.