[2025 Kasama Attraction] Travel Guide for Kasama Inari Shrine (Updated May)

Kasama Inari Shrine is the most popular first shrine visit in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is said that 3.5 million people visit every year, but in December there were few people and I was able to visit at a leisurely pace. Founded in the Asuka period, it is a prestigious shrine that is considered one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan, along with Fushimi Inari in Kyoto and Yutoku Inari in Saga. If you go deeper, you can see the sacred walnut tree. On the approach to the shrine, there is a fox, which is a messenger of the Inari god 🦊. There are also cafes and shops lined up, so it is recommended to eat while walking around! 📍1 Kasama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 309-1611 #shrine #power spot #Ibaraki sightseeing #trip2022

Kasama Inari Shrine is a shrine located in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan! The deity worshipped is "Uka no Mitama no Kami", the guardian deity of all industrial development and also the god of fire prevention. It was founded in 651 and boasts a history of over 1,360 years. It is a popular shrine that is visited by over 3 million worshippers every year from all over Japan, including the Kanto region. The street in front of Kasama Inari is also bustling, and there are several restaurants, so it's fun. #Kasama Inari Shrine #Shrine #Ibaraki Prefecture #Ibaraki #Ibaraki Tourism #Retro Townscape #Summer Trip

#cherryblossom25 Kasama Inari Shrine is all about atmosphere — deep tradition wrapped in delicate pink. It’s one of the oldest and most important Inari shrines in Japan, and when the cherry blossoms bloom, it’s straight-up magical. I walked up the long pathway of stone lanterns framed by cherry trees in full bloom — and it felt almost cinematic. The bright red torii gates against the soft sakura petals? A color combo made in heaven. There were locals in kimono doing shrine visits and couples taking engagement photos under the blossoms. The vibe was spiritual but also celebratory. I bought a fox-shaped ema (wish plaque), wrote my #cherryblossom25 wish, and hung it among a hundred others swaying in the spring breeze. Whether you’re into culture, aesthetics, or just want to slow down and feel something meaningful — Kasama Inari is the spot.

The shrine has a paid parking lot right next to it and another one about 5 minutes away. The omikuji (fortune slips) have numbers written on sticks. You draw from a case with the corresponding number. They also sell ofuda (talismans) and omamori (charms). I visited on a Saturday in mid-January, so it was moderately crowded, allowing for a leisurely visit. The torii gate is along the road and can be hard to see while walking, but it's easy to spot once you get closer. To take a photo of the torii gate, you need to do so from the opposite side of the road, which can be difficult when it's crowded.

#asiatrip Kasama Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s most revered Inari shrines, offers a serene and spiritually enriching experience. Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, this shrine is dedicated to Ukanomitama, the deity of harvest, and is known for its beautiful architecture and tranquil surroundings. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque grounds, adorned with vibrant torii gates and lush greenery, and explore the main hall and sacred zones. The shrine’s peaceful atmosphere is perfect for reflection and relaxation, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Whether you’re participating in traditional rituals, enjoying the seasonal festivals, or simply soaking in the serene ambiance, Kasama Inari Shrine provides a memorable and spiritually uplifting visit

#FuriTabi Kasama Inari Shrine is one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan. The deity worshipped here is Uka no Mitama no Kami, who is the guardian deity of all industrial development and also the god of fire prevention. In Kasama, chrysanthemum flowers that bloom in autumn are as famous as azaleas. At the Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival, which is held from late October to late November with Kasama Inari Shrine as its main venue, chrysanthemums of various colors, including yellow, white, and pink, bloom in full glory. The festival has a long history, beginning in 1908. During the festival, various events such as Yabusame (horseback archery) are held.

The deity worshipped at Kasama Inari Shrine is Uka no Mitama no Kami, a deity with the highest rank of Shoichii. According to the shrine's tradition, this shrine, one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan, was founded in 651 during the reign of the 36th Emperor Kokutoku, making it a historic shrine with a history of about 1,360 years. In 713, during the Nara period, the compilation of the Fudoki was ordered by imperial decree of Emperor Genmei. The "Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki," one of the "Fudoki," states that "there is a village of Kasama 50 ri east of the county of Niiharu." It is believed that at that time, faith in Uka no Mitama no Kami, who is described in the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki," was deeply rooted in this area of ​​Kasama. Kasama Inari Okami, revered as the god of food and agriculture, became more widely worshipped as the god of industrial development as commerce and industry flourished. In the early modern period, not only farmers but also merchants, townspeople, samurai, and feudal lords received their spirits and worshipped them as house, household, and local deities. In particular, during the Edo period, the successive lords of Kasama Domain deeply revered the deity. The first lord, Matsudaira Yasushige, welcomed the spirit of Kasama Inari Okami even after moving to Tanba Sasayama, and this is what is now Ojiyama Inari. The third lord, Matsudaira (Toda) Yasunaga, enshrined the spirit of Kasama Inari Okami in his castle when he was transferred to Matsumoto in Shinano Province, and worshipped it for a long time. The fourth lord, Nagai Naokatsu, continued to enshrine the spirit of Kasama Inari even after moving to Koga Domain, and it is said that the divine horse statue that stands at the current tower gate was donated by his subjects. The fifth feudal lord was Lord Asano Nagashige, the great-grandfather of Lord Asano Takumi-no-kami Naganori, famous for Chushingura, and the sixth feudal lord was his grandfather, Lord Asano Naganao. Oishi Kuranosuke also received a branch of the spirit of Kasama Inari Okami from the Kasama domain and enshrined it in his residence, which became Oishi Inari Shrine. Both the Asano and Oishi families continued to worship the shrine devoutly even after moving from Kasama to Ako. The 13th feudal lord, Lord Inoue Masataka, felt even more deeply the power of the god after Kasama Inari Okami appeared to him in a dream, and he designated Kasama Inari Shrine as a place of prayer for successive feudal lords and worked to expand the shrine grounds and buildings. Following the precedent, the 14th feudal lord, Lord Makino Sadamichi, designated Kasama Inari Shrine as a place of prayer for the Makino family and donated the precincts and ritual implements. From then on, the Makino family owned the Kasama domain until the Meiji Restoration, and they worked hard to develop the shrine. The 15th feudal lord, Makino Sadanaga, felt the great power of the god and submitted a petition to Kyoto, which he received imperial permission to bestow upon the god the rank of Shoichii Inari Daimyojin. Most of the successive feudal lords, except for the Makino family, were transferred to other domains, but their reverence for Kasama did not change even after they left, and they enshrined a branch of the god in their new territories. This spread the lords' deep reverence to the people of the domain, and then to the people outside the domain. #KasamaInariShrine #IbarakiPrefecture #KasamaCityIbarakiPrefecture #KasamaInari #LowestAttractivePrefecture #ThreeBigInariInJapan

I went to Kasama Inari Shrine in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The first thing that stands out is the Chrysanthemum Chozuya. The colorful flowers were lined up without any gaps and were very beautiful and vivid! After walking a little further, you can see the Umbrella Sky. There were many Japanese umbrellas lined up, and the contrast between the blue sky and the colorful umbrellas was very beautiful. The fortune slips were also shaped like umbrellas, which was very playful. There was also a photo spot with a heart shape made of flowers. I thought that there are not many shrines that make you want to take so many photos★ #Kasama Inari Shrine #Ibaraki Tourism #Free Hong Kong Air Ticket

The Chrysanthemum Festival is being held at Kasama Inari Shrine from October 21st to November 26th. There are many Japanese umbrellas and chrysanthemums in bloom, creating a Japanese atmosphere. I went there on a weekday evening, and it was not too empty or crowded, so it was an easy space to walk around! During the festival, goshuin stamps are available for a limited time, including chestnut-shaped goshuin stamps, which are representative of Kasama. Limited-time Chrysanthemum Festival Goshuin stamps are ¥1,000, and regular goshuin stamps are also available for sale. Not only at Kasama Inari Shrine, but also along the surrounding roads, there are many chrysanthemums on display, and in the city there are many shops selling karinto manju, local sake, chestnuts, soba restaurants, and other mouth-watering treats. Why not visit during the festival? #IbarakiTourism #Ibaraki #KasamaInariShrine #Kasama #ShrineTour #Shrine #GoshuinCollection #Goshuin #ChrysanthemumFestival #Chrysanthemums