[2025 Iwanuma Attraction] Travel Guide for Takekoma Shrine (Updated Jul)

#summervacay ## **Why Visit Takekoma Inari Shrine?** ✅ **One of Japan’s Top 3 Inari Shrines** – Less crowded than Fushimi Inari! ✅ **Easy Train Access** – Just 2.5 hours from Tokyo. ✅ **Magical Tunnel of Red Torii Gates** – Perfect for solo photos without the crowds. ✅ **Rich History** – Founded in 842 AD, with a mystical fox legend. --- ## **Budget Travel Guide** 💴 ### **🚆 Getting There (From Tokyo)** 1. **Shinkansen to Sendai** (1.5hr, ¥11,000) → Local train to Iwanuma (20min, ¥320) *OR* 2. **JR Joban Line (Budget Option)** – Direct to Iwanuma (3.5hr, ¥4,500) From Iwanuma Station: - 15-min walk or short taxi ride (¥800) to the shrine. ✔ **Money-Saving Tip:** Use a **JR East Pass** if exploring more of Tohoku! --- ## **Solo Explorer’s Must-Do List** 🦊 ### **1. Walk the Torii Gate Tunnel** 🏮 - Fewer tourists = perfect for peaceful reflection or photography. - Best light: **Early morning or sunset**. ### **2. Meet the Guardian Foxes** 🦊 - Over **100 fox statues**—find your favorite! - Write a wish on an **ema (fox-shaped plaque)**. ### **3. Try Inari Sushi Nearby** 🍣 - Local shops sell **fox-themed snacks** (legend says foxes love fried tofu!). ### **4. Visit the Secret Bamboo Grove** 🎋 - Behind the shrine—a quiet spot most miss. ### **5. Seasonal Surprises** - **Spring:** Cherry blossoms around the shrine. - **Autumn:** Stunning red maple leaves. --- ## **Budget Tips** ✔ **Free Entry** – No admission fee! ✔ **Pack a Bento** – Eat at the shrine’s peaceful grounds. ✔ **Stay in Sendai** – More affordable than Tokyo (hostels from ¥2,500/night). --- ## **Where to Stay Nearby** 🏠 - **Sendai Guesthouse** (¥2,800/night) – Social & clean. - **Iwanuma Business Hotel** (¥4,500/night) – Close to the shrine. --- ## **Best Hashtags for Your Trip** 📸 #HiddenJapan #TakekomaInari #SoloTravelJapan #BudgetTravel #OffTheBeatenPath #TohokuAdventure #FoxShrine #JapanOnATrain --- ### **Final Tip** ✨ Visit on **market days (1st & 15th of the month)** for local food stalls near the shrine! **Ready for a mystical journey?** 🗝️ Comment if you need more tips! 👇 #ShrineHopping

Takekoma Shrine, located in Iwanuma City, is just a 20-minute train ride from Sendai City. As one of Japan's three major Inari shrines, it boasts a rich history and charm that make it a must-visit destination. Here are five compelling reasons to plan your trip to this remarkable shrine today! ✨ 1. A Historic Shrine — Established in 842, Steeped in History Founded in 842 during the Heian period by the poet Ono no Takamura, Takekoma Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines, second only to Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine. It has been a place of deep faith for historical figures, including Date Masamune and other feudal lords. 2. Abundant Blessings — From Daily Life to Love Connections The shrine enshrines three deities: Ukanomitama no Kami (Inari deity), Ukemochi no Kami, and Wakumusubi no Kami, who are believed to protect "clothing, food, and shelter." Visitors come seeking blessings for business prosperity, abundant harvests, traffic safety, and even matchmaking. With approximately 1.5 million annual visitors from local areas, Hokkaido, and the Kanto region, its popularity is undeniable. 3. Charming Foxes — Enjoy Exploring the Grounds The shrine grounds feature numerous "spiritual fox statues" with expressive faces and fox-themed fortune slips called "Lucky Fox Omikuji." These are especially popular as lucky charms, particularly among women. Take a stroll and find your favorite fox! 4. Convenient Access — Perfect for a Quick Afternoon Trip Takekoma Shrine is easily accessible, just a 15-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Iwanuma Station, and only a 20-minute train ride from Sendai Station. Its proximity makes it ideal for a day trip or an afternoon visit. 5. Vibrant Festivals and Enchanting Seasonal Scenery The shrine hosts the "Hatsuuma Festival" in early February, a seven-day event that attracts many visitors. In summer, the grounds are adorned with wind chimes and colorful strips of paper, creating a cool and picturesque atmosphere. The vibrant colors and soothing sounds make for a magical experience. • Unique Connection Between Horses and Foxes: The shrine grounds feature horse statues and a museum dedicated to equestrian culture, reflecting the intertwined faith in Inari deities and horses. • A Historical Transportation Hub: Iwanuma has long been a key junction connecting the Tōsandō and Tōkaidō routes, making it a significant location for the Fujiwara clan of Hiraizumi and the Date clan, contributing to the shrine's development. If you're looking for a shrine near Sendai that offers a blend of history and nature, Takekoma Shrine is the perfect choice. Let the foxes guide you to blessings and fortune during your visit! 🙏

After exiting Iwanuma Station, I walked to Takekomajinja, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines. The journey took about 15 minutes. Although not far, the strong winds along the way made the walk particularly challenging. Takekomajinja (竹駒神社) is the largest and most prominent Inari shrine in the Tohoku region of Japan, standing alongside Kyoto's Fushimi Inari and Ibaraki's Kasama Inari as one of Japan's three major Inari shrines. Established in 842 AD, it enshrines Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami (Inari Okami), Uke Mochi-no-Kami, and Kuraokami-no-Mikoto, deities that protect agriculture, fishing, and commerce. The original worship hall was completely destroyed in a fire, and the current structure is a reconstruction. Next to the current worship hall, there is a staircase leading underground, which is the foundation left behind from before the fire. Descending the stairs, you can visit the inner shrine of Takekomajinja. This is quite rare; based on my past experiences visiting shrines in Kyoto, Tokyo, Nikko, and Mount Koya, it is uncommon for inner shrines to be open to the public for worship. The visitor rest area at Takekomajinja is filled with the scent of wood, reminiscent of the aroma in old swimming pool saunas or Korean jjimjilbangs. It creates a particularly relaxing atmosphere, even making you feel like lying down for a nap.

📍Takekoma Shrine 1-1 Inaricho, Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture 《Access》 Approx. 11 minutes on foot from the east exit of Iwanuma Station Approx. 59 minutes on foot from the east exit of Tatekoshi Station Opening hours 9:00-16:30 ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ ▶️Takekoma Shrine is revered as one of the three Inari shrines in Japan It enshrines the guardian deity of food, clothing, and shelter and is one of the most popular shrines in the Tohoku region for first-time visitors every New Year ▶️It is within walking distance of Iwanuma Station and has multiple parking lots for your convenience ▶️The grounds are lined with two-story Mukai Karamon gates and Zuishinmon gates built in the Edo period. ▶️Wind chimes and temple stamps from summer pilgrimages are popular ▶️I was surprised to find a popular ramen shop on the grounds! It was already closed, but it seems to be super popular. #Miyagi #Takekoma Shrine #Japan's Three Inari Shrines #Guardian deity #Ramen shop #Paper lantern #Winter trip #Miyagi trip #Miyagi sightseeing #0 yen trip January 2025

#0yentripNovember [Takekoma Shrine] 🕰️Business hours: 0600-1700 🏖️Atmosphere/Facilities: ◯ 📍Location: 1-1 Inaricho, Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-2443 💰Price per person: 0~ 💞Reasons why we recommend it: There is a big torii gate at the entrance, which is impressive♡♡ The sound of the wind chimes was very beautiful, and the hand washing area was also wonderful😀 There are various types of goshuin, so I wanted to visit again and again😘 I was able to receive a direct copy of the goshuin, and it cost 500 yen‼ ︎🥺 The atmosphere was quiet and calm♪