Free Oarai Isosaki Shrine (Worship Hall) Picture in Ibaraki, Japan

About the Picture

On the picture we have the Worship Hall of the Oarai Isosaki Shrine (Jinja) in Oarai, town in Ibaraki Prefecture. I didn’t expect by coming to Ibaraki, to see such a hidden gem, a shrine with a long history, dating back to the year of 856.

But during the war in the 16th century it was destroyed and the current worship hall dates back to 1690, when was rebuilt under the patronage of Tokugawa Mitsukuni during the Edo period.

What’s interesting about the Oarai Isosaki Jinja’s Worship Hall as you can see on the picture, are striking red pillars and detailed carvings. There are 14 carvings in total, each features elegant plants and birds. But you can only see 10 of them from the outside.

When you enter the hall of prayer, special secrets are revealed to you, you will meet 4 other carvings. Among all bird and plant carvings, one panel lacks a bird. Did the bird “fly away”? It’s what some would say so, an invitation so you can use your imagination.

As you can see on the picture, there are three frogs on each side, the Three Frogs of Good Fortune. “Kaeru”, the Japanese word for a frog, but also it means “to return”. It’s widely believed these frogs bring lucky “returns” in life. Like traveling safely back home, finding lost items or having your heartfelt wishes come back fulfilled. Some sweet, symbolic detail that makes you want to travel to the Shrine.

To get to the worship hall from the street level you pass through the Main Torii gate (big concrete structure that is over 15.6 meters tall and 22.42 meters wide) and climb about 100 stairs to meet the Second Torii gate of the Shrine, behind you will have the temple grounds. Serene area, surrounded by trees, a spiritual ground, offering prayers for safety at sea, prosperity, and the well-being of visitors.

There is also the Third Torii Gate of Oarai Isosaki Shrine, “Kamiiso-no-Torii” (translates to “Rocky Shore of the Gods”), one that stands on a rocky outcrop along the Pacific coast. A sacred Torii gate that brings many photographers at sunrise.

It also brings many people from all over Japan during the first New Year’s sunrise, in Japanese it’s called “hatsuhinode”, often called a breathtaking spiritual experience, I hope one day I can witness myself.

“Kamiiso-no-Torii”, the place where the deity enshrined at Oarai Isosaki Shrine descended to earth, symbolizing a bridge between the earthly and divine. To read more about it and the Oarai Isosaki Jinja, visit the official website, full of great information (it’s in Japanese).

Oarai Isosaki Shrine is a must-visit destination in Ibaraki, very worth taking a trip from Tokyo. A place where you can not only admire beautiful wooden architecture of the worship hall, beautiful carvings and Japanese design, it’s a place where you will find peace, tranquility and serenity not only among the Shrine’s grounds but among the coast of Pacific ocean.

I felt in love with the place from the first sight.

I also wanted to share with you some interesting facts about this Shinto Shrine, you might be interested in:

• The Shrine offers unique Omamori Charms (Japanese talismans) for various blessings: success, health and safety at the sea. Popular souvenirs for travelers.
• It’s not only popular among spiritual seekers, anime fans often also visit the shrine and Oarai town as it served as a backdrop in in several anime series.
• The Oarai Isosaki Jinja offers Stamp Books, where you can collect temple stamps. More about you can find on the Shrine’s website.

Feel free to download the picture of the Worship Hall of Oarai Isosaki Shrine for free to use it within your blog post or web article, and don’t forget to add it to your travel bucket list or next Japanese itinerary.