Let's visit Ikuta Shrine in Sanyomiya in Kobe,the famous spiritual place for love and marriage!

The Ikuta shrine is located in Sannomiya, the heart of Kobe. The shrine dates back to the year 201 AD, and has a long history of over 1800 years. It has been known to have enshrined a god called Wakahirume-no-Mikoto.

In present day, the shrine has become famous among the Japanese as a "good marriage"・"spiritual place"', and is now a notable sightseeing location in Kobe. It is known that Japanese TV personality Norika Fujiwara had her wedding ceremony in this shrine.

Specifically, the spiritual place that has become known for good marriage is located on the right side of the shrine grounds near the entrance. It has been said that if you "pray for love facing the cedar tree", your wish will come true. In addition, "the charm for marriage" have also become a popular aspect of the shrine, and it is offered as a set of red and white, the man carries the white charm and the red charm belongs to the woman, granting them ever lasting love. In the shrine grounds, there is also a nature such as "the forest of Ikuta" and "the lake of Ikuta", which allows visitors to relax by full of negative ions even in the middle of the a bustling city.

During the new years, the Ikuta shrine is a renowned location for Hatsumode(first visit to shrine), where large numbers of people come and pray for a good year.

We recommend taking the 'Ikuta road", a walking trail from Sannomiya to the shrine, so you can enjoy Kobe city and visit the shrine at the end of your stroll.

Table of Contents for this Article

１，Basic Information about Ikuta Shrine
２，Useful Information about Ikuta Shrine
３，Introducing Ikuta Shrine grounds
４，Access Information to Ikuta Shrine

１，Basic Information about Ikuta Shrine

Name: Ikuta Jinja
Name In English : Ikuta Shrine
Prefecture: Hyogo prefecture
Area: Kobe city (Sannomiya ・Motomachi)
Address: 1-2-1 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Telephone Number: 078-321-3851
Admission Hours: 7:00 ~ Sundown
Admission Fee: Free
Parking: Available (with toll)
Official website: http://www.ikutajinja.or.jp/

２，Useful Information about Ikuta Shrine

Less than 10 minute walk from the station: ◯
Accompanied by: Friends/ Family / Date/ Alone
Staff who can speak foreign languages: Unknown
Free Wi-Fi: Unknown
Estimated visiting time: 30 minutes~
Recommended visiting seasons: New Years, spring, fall

３，Introduce Ikuta Shrine grounds

Here is an introduction of the shrine grounds.
First, at the entrance of the shrine, there is a "Torii".



When you pass under the Torii, there will be the "Sakuramon" (Sakura gate) just in front of the main hall.
Once you walk through the Sakuramon, you will arrive at the main hall.



Pictures of the Ikuda shrine's main hall







In addition to the main hall of the shrine, there are 14 other shrines in the precinct.
"Matsuo shrine" famous for the good marriage is one of these 14 shrines.


source by：http://www.ikutajinja.or.jp/about/map.html

Introduction to the Subordinate Shrines:

１，Sumiyoshi shrine
２，Hachiman shrine
３，Suwa shrine
４，Hiyoshi shrine
５，Ichikishima shrine
６，Inari shrine
７，Sae shrine
８，Ikatsuomi shrine
９，Hitomaru shrine
１０，Ebisu shrine
１１，Daikai shrine
１２，Matsuo shrine
１３，Togakushi shrine
１４，Ikutanomoriniimasu shrine


Other than the shrines on the precinct, there is the "forest of Ikuta" in the North of the shrine and the lake of Ikuta in the West of the main shrine. If you have a chance to visit the area, it would be highly worth while visiting all aspects of the Ikuta shrine.

４，Access Information to Ikuta Shrine

Address : 1-2-1 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Telephone Number: 078-321-3851
Transportation:

（by Train）
10 minute walk from JR Kobe Line "Sannomiya" station
10 minute walk from the Hankyu Kobe Line "Sannomiya" station
10 minute walk from the Hanshin Line "Sannomiya" station