2025 Koza District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#cityplaybook #localguides #familytrip Nestled in Kanagawa Prefecture, not far from the coastal city of Chigasaki, Samukawa-jinja Shrine is one of Japan’s most revered spiritual sites. Unlike many shrines dedicated to a specific kami (deity), Samukawa-jinja enshrines Samukawa Daimyojin, a unique guardian deity said to ward off "yakuyoke" — misfortune or calamity that comes from all directions. This makes the shrine especially popular for people seeking comprehensive protection and blessings for safe travels, new ventures, and spiritual cleansing. Dating back over 1,500 years, the shrine exudes a powerful yet serene energy. As you pass through the towering torii gate and stroll along the tree-lined approach, you’re enveloped in tranquility. The main hall is an elegant structure blending tradition with sacred atmosphere, often visited by those praying for family safety, traffic protection, and business prosperity. What makes Samukawa-jinja even more special is its seasonal events. During the Setsubun Festival in early February, visitors come in droves to participate in the traditional bean-throwing ceremony to chase away evil spirits. The annual Reitaisai held in September is another major event, showcasing elaborate processions and Shinto rituals. The shrine also offers omamori (amulets) for specific types of directional protection, a rare feature among Japanese shrines. Visitors often leave with one of these charms, seeking to harmonize their path in life with the positive energies of the cardinal directions. Only about an hour from Tokyo by train, Samukawa-jinja Shrine is a peaceful escape steeped in spiritual tradition — ideal for those in search of renewal, protection, and a deeper understanding of Shinto beliefs. #SamukawaJinja #ShintoShrine #Yakuyoke #KanagawaSpiritualSites #HiddenJapan #CulturalJapan #ShrinesOfJapan #SpiritualJourney #SamukawaShrine #JapanOffTheBeatenPath

#cityplaybook Sometimes the best days are the quiet ones—and a visit to Samukawa Shrine offers just that. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, this area is known for its calming atmosphere, spacious grounds, and deep spiritual roots. I started the day with a visit to Samukawa Shrine, one of the most important shrines in the region. Surrounded by tall trees and wide paths, it’s a place that invites you to breathe a little deeper and slow down. Nearby, I also stopped by Miyayama Shrine, a smaller but equally peaceful spot tucked into a quiet corner of the town. In the afternoon, I headed to Samukawa Chuo Park for a little picnic under the trees. If you visit during cherry blossom season, this park is especially beautiful—soft pink petals falling with the breeze, kids playing, and a sense of ease in the air. Why I recommend Samukawa: ・It’s a perfect day trip if you’re looking to escape the city and recharge ・The combination of nature and tradition creates a calm you can really feel 📍Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan #Samukawa #Kanagawa #SamukawaShrine #MiyayamaShrine #ChuoPark #SakuraPicnic #LocalJapan #ShrineWalk #PeacefulJapan #SlowTravel

#aprilblooms If you’re in Kanagawa this spring, Samukawa-jinja Shrine is a peaceful hidden gem worth visiting. Known for its “happo-yoke” (protection from all directions), this shrine offers not just spiritual comfort, but also a calm, refreshing atmosphere. I visited on a weekday, and it was wonderfully quiet — definitely better than the busier weekends! Surrounded by nature and traditional architecture, the shrine has a serene energy that helps you slow down and breathe. It’s the kind of place where time feels like it pauses. Why You Should Visit: ✔ Famous for “happo-yoke” blessings — perfect if you’re looking for a little protection and luck. ✔ The peaceful surroundings make it ideal for a mindful walk and a spring reset. 📍Address: 3916 Miyayama, Samukawa, Koza District, Kanagawa 253-0106 #Kanagawa #Japan #SamukawaJinja #ShrineVisit #SpringInJapan #HappoYoke

📍Samukawa Shrine The second most visited shrine in Kanagawa. It is surrounded by nature and is very beautiful. Pets are not allowed inside the shrine! 【INFORMATION】 Samukawa Shrine 📮3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 253-0106 🕑8:00-17:00 🚗Parking available #0 yen trip November

It's not that big, but it's a fairly large shrine The grounds have a very dignified atmosphere It's a very comfortable place☺️ When I visited here, I was blessed with the ability to smoothly find a job that suited me🌟 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⛩~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Samukawa Shrine 📍3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture ⏰6:00-18:00 🚶5 minutes walk from JR Miyayama Station ☑︎The only guardian deity in the country that can ward off evil ☑︎Removes all misfortunes and disasters, brings prosperity to the family business, and brings good fortune ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⛩~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ※This information is current, so please check it out before you go! Photo shoot date 📷 2024/6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Right now! This moment! Enjoy it to the fullest Maya trip ✔︎A place I'm glad I went and experienced for myself ✔︎I hope this will be helpful for your outings♫ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #Travel with me #Samukawa Shrine #Visiting shrines and temples #Sightseeing in Kanagawa #Pure healing

#Sakura2024 When you go to Japan, in addition to seeing beautiful scenery, you can't miss going to worship the sacred objects at various places and shrines throughout Japan. This time we went to Samukawa Shrine in Kanagawa, Koza City, not far from Tokyo. According to history, this shrine is home to the guardian deity who protects Japan in all eight directions and helps eliminate bad luck. After worshiping at the shrine, we walked to see "Kantakeyama Shinen", which is located in the inner garden of the main shrine, and the Japanese garden "Namba no Koike", which has a long history. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to visit the museum inside. But it was considered a chance to visit a shrine that few foreigners know about. Most of them are Japanese people who come to visit. Next time, if you have a chance to go, I recommend you to try to see it. Place Samukawa Shrine Japan, 253-0106 Kamikawa, Hokkaido Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture 3916

#thingstodo The beliefs that pray for safe childbirth, good health for mothers and children, and the healthy growth of children, and as the god of family fortune, family safety, good health, business prosperity, and a good harvest, it is said to bring many blessings. As soon as you step inside the temple grounds, you will be surrounded by greenery, creating a peaceful and gentle space.

#thingstodo A 1,400 year old shrine located in Kanagawa. The area was very wide and it was comfortable to walk around. Lots of nature and a nice tourist spot. There's also some places to grab a quick bite both in the shrine area as well as in some restaurants nearby. Atmosphere there is something fresh and keeping clean and overwhelmed. the experience is unique. It was super cold, and many people had come to do their New Year wishes and prayers.

Samukawa Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Sagami Province, is being relocated to Koza County, Kanagawa Prefecture. The annual "New Year Nebuta" is being displayed at the shrine gate again this year! There is a theme for every 12 years, and this is the 24th time. This year, which is based on mythology, is "Katsujin ~ The Eight Great Dragon Kings ~". The Eight Great Dragon Kings are said to bring blessings such as safety for the home and prosperity in business. Next year is the Year of the Dragon, and the dragon 🐉, which has been chosen as the symbolic animal of that year, is a perfect fit. The three-dimensional "Nebuta" looks very different depending on the angle from which you view it, which was very interesting. You can see them until February 23rd next year! ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ꕥShrine name: Samukawa Shrine ꕥAddress: 3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa ꕥAccess 🚉 Miyayama Station → approx. 8 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #besttrip2023 #Samukawa Shrine #Kanagawa Tourism #Kanagawa Trip #Shrine Tour #Temple and Shrine

[Highlights] - Souvenir corner on the first floor and restaurant on the second floor - Full glass windows with spectacular views of the four seasons - Perfect location for a rest after visiting Samukawa Shrine [Description] "Chinju no Mori Koyo," quietly located near Samukawa Shrine, was opened in December 2013 as a place of relaxation for worshippers. Here, you can purchase local Samukawa specialties and shrine souvenirs on the first floor, and on the second floor you can enjoy a meal while feeling the seasonal breeze. From the full glass windows, you can see the nature of Samukawa changing color with the seasons, providing a healing time that will help you forget about your daily life. It is a perfect location for a detour before or after visiting the shrine, and the nearby toilets are easy to use. This calm space gives visitors peace of mind and leads to new discoveries. [Address] 3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 253-0106 [Access] - 5 minutes walk from Miyayama Station on the JR Sagami Line #Trip to Kanagawa #Shrines and Temples #Samukawa Shrine #Shrine #Sightseeing in Kanagawa

[Points of Interest] - A prestigious shrine representing Kanagawa Prefecture - A popular shrine in Kanagawa visited by approximately 2 million people a year - A sacred place for protection from evil spirits visited by many celebrities [Description] Samukawa Shrine, which has captured the hearts of the people of Kanagawa since the good old days, is a place where you can feel the gentle breath of the gods. This shrine, where the dignity of the guardian deity of Sagami Province coexists with a warm welcome for visitors, continues to attract 2 million visitors a year. During the New Year's visit season, a large number of worshippers come to offer prayers, second only to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura. Boasting one of the largest numbers of people praying at the shrine, this place is also revered as a god for protection from evil spirits from all directions, and is known to be visited by many celebrities. Filled with a sacred atmosphere, Samukawa Shrine continues to be the spiritual base of Kanagawa Prefecture. [Address] 3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 253-0106 [Access] - About 5 minutes walk from Miyayama Station on the JR Sagami Line #Kanagawa Trip #Kanagawa #Samukawa Shrine #Shrine Tour #Kanagawa Tourism

Samukawa Shrine is the Ichinomiya of Sagami Province. It has a history of about 1500 years, and is known as the only guardian deity in Japan that protects from directional and all directions! It is one of the leading shrines in Kanagawa Prefecture, especially because it is said to protect people from all kinds of misfortune that may befall them. At Samukawa Shrine, a "New Year's Nebuta" is set up at the shrine gate every year at the end of the year. It is said that passing through this New Year's Nebuta will ward off misfortune, and when it gets dark, it is lit up, making the New Year's Nebuta even more fantastical. The Nebuta have a theme, After completing the theme of the zodiac over the course of a year, the current theme is "mythology" such as the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. The photo shows the New Year's Nebuta for 2022, titled "Wind God and Thunder God - Eliminating Misfortune." It is said to be filled with the desire to overcome epidemics and the fierce forces of nature. I'm already looking forward to Reiwa 6♪ ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ꕥShrine name: Samukawa Shrine ꕥAddress: 3916 Miyayama, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa ꕥAccess 🚉 Miyayama Station → 🚶‍♀️ About 8 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #Samukawa Shrine #Nebuta #Shrine tour #Shrines and temples #Kanagawa trip #Kanagawa sightseeing

Ichinomiya Shrine in Sagami Province. It is said to be the only shrine in Japan that has the divine virtue of protection from all directions. In Kanagawa Prefecture, it is the second most visited shrine for New Year's visits after Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Samukawa Shrine is an ancient shrine with a history of 1600 years, and is one of the leading shrines in the Kanto region. In the precincts, there is a sacred pond to the right of the torii gate, and a fountain where you can relax while listening to the sound of the water. Beside the main shrine building is a bronze statue of an armillary sphere (an instrument used to measure the positions of celestial bodies and stars), and the dragon supporting it is very cool. Going through the shrine gate, you will find yourself in a spacious space, and beyond that is the magnificent main hall, making you feel as if you have descended into another world. ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ❥❥ Samukawa Shrine 🚉Miyayama Station →🚶‍♀️About 7 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #Samukawa Shrine #Shrine Tour #Shrines and Temples #Kanagawa Trip #Kanagawa Sightseeing