＜Saruga Shrine＞A sacred place in Oshu Tsugaru with beautiful snowy scenery in winter｜Hirosaki,GoshogawaraFor recommended sightseeing and leisure spots inTabiiro

A sacred place in Oshu Tsugaru with beautiful snowy scenery in winter

Saruga Shrine, a sacred place in Tsugaru, Oshu, is located in Hirakawa City, Aomori, and is said to have been founded by Sakanoue Tamuramaro, a great general of the Conquerors in the early Heian period. The main shrine has been designated as a prefectural treasure and is worshiped as a guardian deity of agriculture, fishing, transportation, and eyesight. The winter festival is surrounded by snowy scenery and is held on January 7th of the lunar calendar. The festival is designated as a National Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

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Beautiful snowy scenery on the shrine grounds as winter changes

During Tsugaru's harsh winters, the area is covered in snow, and the precincts have a refreshing atmosphere, giving those who visit the shrine a sense of purity. The statues of guardian dogs and horses, completely covered in snow, look gentle yet strong, and each person who looks at them will have the same feelings as the "Numbling Lion" that protects children.

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"Nanakkadou Festival" to predict the fortunes and climate

The Nanakado Festival is a festival where fortune-telling is carried out on the year's crops and fishing, and prayers are held for the fulfillment of various wishes and the elimination of various disasters. The "Yanagi Karami Shinto Ritual," in which willow branches are tapped on the floor to predict good fortune, is a sight to behold, and worshipers treasure the fallen willow branches and the rice cakes scattered in the "Sesame Mochi Throwing Ritual" as talismans for good health.

Detailed information

Enjoy the lotus flowers in summer and the Jugoya Festival in autumn.

The "Lotus Flower Mamori" and "Lotus Flower Goshuin," which are limited to July to September and feature the company's symbol, the lotus flower, is famous. At the Jugoya Festival, goshuin stamps and Tsukimamori are distributed for three days only, and on the second day of the festival, Tsukimamori is distributed only to those attending the Moon Viewing Festival.

01. The "Harvest Moon Festival" is held on Lunar August 15, with the second day’s "Moon Viewing Ceremony" being a highlight.
02. Lotus-themed amulets and summer-limited "Lotus Flower Goshuin" are popular.
03. Limited Goshuin (Temple/Shrine Seals) and "Tsukimamori" amulets are available only during the three-day festival.

Saruga Shrine

Address

175 Saruga Ishibayashi, Hirakawa City, Aomori

Access

[Train] Approximately 15 minutes walk from Tsugaru Onoe Station on the Konan Railway Konan Line [Car] Approximately 10 minutes from Kuroishi IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Official Website

https://sarukajinja.com

TEL

+81-172-57-2016Please inform the staff that you found us through "Tabiiro".

FAX

+81-172-57-2217

SNS

Business hours

Shrine office: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. *9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. in winter, worship is open 24 hours

Regular Holiday

No holidays

Fee

Prayer fee: 1 7,000 yen, 2 12,000 yen, 3 15,000 yen, wedding ceremony fee: 50,000 yen

Parking

Approximately 135 spaces (60 spaces in Saruga Park parking lot, 75 spaces in Roman Road parking lot)

Event information

- Nanoka-do Grand Festival: Lunar January 7
Features two rituals: the Yanagakarami ritual and Mochi Tossing ritual.

- Sokekai Grand Festival: May 3
A traditional Oni-men Archer Ritual praying for the dispelling of evil.

- Saruka Shrine Harvest Moon Festival: Lunar August 14 to16
Includes Tsugaru Kagura (a prefectural intangible cultural asset) and various rituals over three days.

- Rice Planting Festival
A traditional ceremony held near the shrine’s sacred field, praying for a bountiful harvest.