Saga » Ureshino, Takeo, Imari

Yutoku Inari Shrine

One of the three major Inari shrines in Japan

Yutoku Inari Shrine is known as one of the “Three Great Inari” shrines in Japan, along with Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki, and is a deity that protects food, clothing, and shelter.

It is visited by approximately 3 million worshippers annually, the second largest number in Kyushu after Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka.

The main shrine, Kaguraden (music hall), and tower gate, all finished in beautifully colored lacquer, are so magnificent that they are called “Chinzei-nikko (Nikko Toshogu in Kyushu). Beyond the main hall is a series of vermilion torii leading to the inner sanctuary, from which visitors can enjoy a spectacular view to the Ariake Sea.

There is also a museum on the grounds of the shrine where treasures related to the shrine are on display. Because of the abundance of nature in each of the four seasons, cherry blossoms adorn the shrine grounds in spring, and maple and ginkgo trees with red leaves create a beautiful scene in autumn. The outer garden, Higashiyama Park, is also a famous flower spot in the city, where visitors can enjoy 50,000 azaleas at a glance, as well as cherry blossoms, cosmos, rape blossoms, and more.

It was founded in 1687. When Manko (daughter of Hanayama-in and later named Yutoku-in), wife of Nabeshima Naocho, lord of the Kashima domain, married into the Nabeshima family, she dedicated a branch of Inari Shrine, which was enshrined at Hanayama-in, also in Kyoto. Because of the Nabeshima family’s strong faith in the shrine, the construction costs of the shrine were covered by the clan.

The shrine was worshipped as a guardian deity for farmers, fishermen, and merchants, and was visited by many worshippers.

In 1949, a large shrine building was lost in a fire, but was rebuilt in 1957. Within the shrine area are buildings such as the temple, worship hall, cloister, kaguraden, shrine office, and romon (tower gate). The main buildings in particular are beautifully painted in lacquer, and the splendidly painted tower gate has a dignified appearance. In addition, the Meibusha Shrine, located within the shrine precincts, is highly regarded for its wood carving techniques and other features.

Yutoku Inari Shrine is located in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture, and was once a shrine with the status of a prefectural shrine. Also known as “Chinzei Nikko,” the shrine is known as one of the leading shrines in western Japan. The tower gate of this shrine was built by restorers in imitation of the Yomeimon Gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

Together with Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kasama Inari Shrine, it is one of the “Three Great Inari Shrines of Japan. It is visited by approximately 3 million worshippers annually, second only to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine among shrines in Kyushu. This shrine is revered as a guardian deity of food, clothing, shelter, and life in general, and is believed to bring prosperity to business and family fortunes.

The history of Yutoku Inari Shrine is that Naocho Nabeshima, the first lord of the Kashima domain, took as his wife Mankohime, a grandson of Emperor Goyozei and daughter of Left Minister Hanayamain Sadayoshi. Mankohime invoked the spirit of Inari from the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. When Mankohime married into the Nabeshima family, her father gave her a sacred mirror of Inari no Mikagami.

In 1687, the Nabeshima family built a shrine on Mt. Ishikabe, and Mankohime herself served the shrine, but in 1705, she fasted and entered into a state of abstinence at Juzo in the Ishikabe Cave. After that, Mankohime was enshrined under the name “Yutokuin” and came to be worshipped together with the deity Inari.

During the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism in the Meiji era (1868-1912), the Buddhist rituals were abolished and the shrine was renamed Yutokuinari Shrine. At that time, Juzo, where Manko Ehime entered the shrine, was positioned as a stone wall shrine, and Manko Ehime was given the divine title “Manko Ehime-no Mikoto”.

The present main shrine was rebuilt in the early Showa period (early 20th century), and was reconstructed in 1957 according to the design of Takashi Kakunan, Director General of the Ise Jingu Construction Bureau. The present main hall is the third generation, and is constructed entirely in lacquer.

Mokichi Saito and Ujo Noguchi also wrote poems about Yutoku Inari Shrine.

The precincts of the shrine include the main hall, Kaguraden (Shinto music and dance hall), and Toromon (tower gate) on the west side across the Kinba River. To the north of the tower gate is the Sanguden, and further north is the Japanese garden. The main hall is located on a hill, but an elevator is available for a fee.

The approach from the temple grounds to the north is lined with a shopping street in front of the gate, and a free parking lot is located at the northernmost end of the street, with approximately 3,000 parking spaces available.

In addition, the Yutoku Bus Monzen Branch (Yutoku-jinja-mae bus stop) is located on the east side of the Nishinami River. In addition, the Yutoku Museum is located next to the parking lot, displaying the shrine’s collection of arts and crafts, armor, swords, Kashima brocade, and other local artifacts.

Information

Name
Yutoku Inari Shrine
祐徳稲荷神社
Link
Official Site
Address
1855 Furueda Otsu, Kashima City, Saga Prefecture
Telephone number
0954-62-2151
Parking lot
Free, 3,000 spaces
Access

From Hizen Kashima Station on the JR Nagasaki Honsen Line, board a Yutoku Bus bound for Yutoku-jinja-mae at the Kashima Bus Center stop in front of the station, and disembark at the Yutoku-jinja-mae stop.

Ureshino, Takeo, Imari

Saga