History of Yuki Suwa Shrine

The history of Yuki Suwa Shrine dates back about 1000 years. At that time, the samurai Taira no Masakado led a rebellion against the central government in Kyoto, in a campaign to make himself the “new emperor” of Japan. Masakado occupied this area and was very powerful. Because of this, Emperor Suzaku commanded Shogun Fujiwara Hidesato to defeat him in a battle.

Before the battle, Hidesato led the soul of the god Takeminakata to the battle site and enacted a ritual to pray for victory. Using a bow and arrow that was under Takeminakata’s power, he shot the arrow toward Masakado’s castle. Later, when the fighting began, Hidesato and his samurai defeated Masakado.

Giving thanks to the power of Takeminakata, Hidesato offered one of the arrows that he used in battle and built a shrine. This was the beginning of Yuki Suwa Shrine. The shrine was subsequently visited by many samurai seeking victory in battle.

God of Victory

Takeminakata is said to be the strongest of the Japanese gods of military arts. Many believe that it was Hidesato’s faith in Takeminakata, the god of victory, that enabled him and his samurai to win the battle.

Takeminakata’s wife, the goddess Yasakatome, is enshrined together with him. It is said that they had an excellent marital relationship, and that the shrine brings power to marriage.

Victory Rock

This huge rock is said to have defended Hidesato from the arrows of Masakado. It is said that if you touch it and obtain its force, your wishes will come true.

Victory Amulet (O-mamori)

This is the most famous amulet in Yuki Suwa Shrine. The charm is decorated with an arrow and is an object of worship. It contains the power of fight and force for overcoming calamity. It can be worn or carried in a bag.

O-fuda to Win All

Victory Daruma

Daruma is one of the Buddhist saints. Daruma dolls are talismans of happiness and have been a Japanese tradition since ancient times. The daruma of Yuki Suwa Shrine are painted in gold, the color of victory. You paint the left eye when you make your wish, and paint the right eye when your wish is granted.

About Yuki City

Yuki City is located in the southwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. It is an old historic town, once ruled by the clan of Shogun Yuki. It is famous for a type of silk cloth called Yūki-tsumugi, which is inscribed on the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Yūki-tsumugi is spun, woven and dyed by hand. It is a luxury fabric, and it is used to make kimonos of the highest quality. Visitors can experience making Yūki-tsumugi in Yuki City.

Access to Yuki Suwa Shrine

Yuki Suwa Shrine is located in Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It takes about an hour and a half by train or car from Tokyo.

By train From Yuki Station, it is about 15 minutes to Yuki Suwa Shrine by taxi. From tokyo to get to Yuki Station, first take Utsunomiya Line at Ueno Station. Get off at Oyama Station, and transfer to Mito Line. Yuki station is the second station on this line.(Or, take the Utsunomiya Line directly to Mamada Station. Yuki Suwa Shrine is about 20 minutes by taxi from Mamada station. Also from Tokyo Station and Ueno Station to Oyama Station You can come by Shinkansen(bullet train) You can use theShinkansen will come in 40 minutes.)

By car On the highway, get off at Sakai Koga IC or Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC. From there, it takes about 30 minutes to Yuki Suwa Shrine. (From Ibaraki Airport or Haneda Airport, it takes about one hour and a half.)

161 Kamiyamakawa, Yuki City, Ibaraki, Japan
Tel. (＋81296) 35-6007
Fax (＋81293) 07-8091
mail.yuki.suwajinja@gmail.com
※Yuki Suwa Shrine offers free parking and admission.