Samukawa Shrine

Samukawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine with a 1,600-year history and is the only shrine in Japan dedicated to “Happo-yoke” (protection from misfortune in all directions). It is one of the Kanto region’s major shrines, attracting about 2 million worshippers annually, with around 500,000 visitors during the New Year’s first shrine visit (Hatsumode). Happo-yoke refers to prayers to remove all kinds of misfortune stemming from house and land orientation, directions, and calendar influences. At Samukawa Shrine’s main hall, these prayers are conducted every single day without rest, and in recent years it has also been known as a shrine with one of the highest numbers of people receiving in-hall prayers. The shrine stands on a low plateau said to have once been part of Sagami Bay in ancient times, and it remains rich in nature supported by the Sagami River. A special highlight is “Kandake-yama Shin’en,” a beautiful Japanese garden area centered around “Nanba no Koike,” which is traditionally linked to the shrine’s origins. Only those who receive prayers may enter; it also has a teahouse and a museum-like facility for a peaceful visit. Access: about a 5-minute walk from Miyama Station (JR Sagami Line).