2025.04.12

The Gods of Hitachi Country, Visiting the Three Shrines of the East Country, Walking in the Breath / Hachiryu Shrine

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Hitachi Province (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) is a land where the breath of the gods nurtured by nature and history has been alive since ancient times. In recent years, there has been a quiet boom in the "Hitachi Pilgrimage," a journey to visit the gods. This time, I would like to write a record of my visit to the Susu Shrine, one of the three shrines in the Eastern Kingdom, and then to the Hakryu Shrine, which sits in the vicinity and hides the rich energy of the dragon god in its secluded appearance.

Article Contents

Breath Walk / Hachiryu Shrine ~ Ancient shrine tour where you can feel the breath of the dragon god
- To rest your feet from visiting the three shrines of the East Country, go through the forest of the shrine of Susu Shrine

Breath Walk / Hachiryu Shrine ~ Ancient shrine tour where you can feel the breath of the dragon god

To rest your feet from visiting the three shrines of the East Country, pass through the forest of the shrine of Susu Shrine T

The journey begins at one of the three shrines in the eastern part of the country, the Susu Shrine. Along with Kashima Shrine and Katori Shrine, it is known as an important shrine that protects the eastern part of the country. Since ancient times, the shrine has flourished as a transportation hub and faced the inland sea called the Katori Sea. As a result, many people visited to pray for the safety of the voyage.

In the temple grounds, old cedar trees that are hundreds of years old rise up, and there is a sacred air in the air. As you slowly walk along the path leading to the main shrine, you will feel as if your mind and body are being purified. Due to its deep history and sacred atmosphere, the shrine is a place that gives peace and strength to visitors.

After visiting the shrine and inhaling the fresh air to the fullest, we drove to our next destination, the Hakryu Shrine. It is only about 5 minutes away from Susu Shrine to Hachiryu Shrine.

Memories of Watazu Village, to the quietly standing Hachiryu Shrine

The Hakryu Shrine is tucked away in a place called Kamisu Ichiga. In ancient times, the Ka area flourished as a settlement called "Toshin". Watatsu is a village that has developed around a river, lake, sea, etc. when crossing to the opposite shore by ferry. It is said that in the Edo period, there was a river bank, and Takase boats came and went, showing a bustle.

Today, however, the bustle of the past is gone, and the quiet countryside is spreading. In such a place, the Hakryu Shrine sits as if it were hidden.

As I drove in the direction indicated by the car navigation system, an old lantern appeared in the empty bushes. Behind it, you can see a mossy torii gate. I parked the car and headed for the torii gate while wading through the grass.

A different space that spreads beyond the approach and torii gate where you can feel the breath of the dragon god

Approach

The approach to the Hakryu Shrine is short but quaint. On both sides are stone lanterns that have been exposed to the elements and whose letters are faint and illegible. The ground is covered with fallen leaves and dirt, and it is enveloped in silence.

Hachiryu Shrine Torii

When I passed through the torii gate, I felt that the atmosphere had changed completely. It was filled with some special energy, different from the tranquility I had felt before.

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"There are eight dragon gods."

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My friend, who accompanied me, said so suddenly. He has long been knowledgeable about Ryujin and has a knack for sensing energy.

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"There are a total of eight pillars, one golden dragon, one silver dragon, one white dragon, two red dragons, and three black dragons. It's a great place."

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Listening to his words, I tried to concentrate my attention, and I felt that there was indeed something there. I wonder if the special energy I felt from the moment I passed through the torii gate was due to the presence of the dragon gods.

Beyond the torii, there is a continuation of the torii. Each torii gate is old and mossy, indicating that it has been around for a long time.

Birdsong echoing in the worship hall: The power of the dragon god felt in silence

Worship hall

After passing through the torii gate, the worship hall of the Hakryu Shrine appeared. Although it is a simple structure, it has a sacred atmosphere. In front of the worship hall, there is a coin box and a bell.

When I looked around, there were no other worshippers. The sound of birds echoes through the air, and the atmosphere is silent.

We put the offerings in the coin box and rang the bell to show our deep respect for the gods of the Eight Dragons Shrine.

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"Dragon God, I would like to express my gratitude for being able to visit this land, and although I often feel lost and anxious in my daily life, please give us strength."

As I prayed in my heart, I felt something warm rise from the depths of my chest.

I have never visited a shrine where I felt the presence of the dragon god so strongly. Being in this shrine, which is said to have eight dragon gods, naturally makes you feel at ease and energized.

Embrace the Spiritual Power of the Dragon God: A Power Spot Open to All
The Hakryu Shrine does not have flashy decorations or a glamorous atmosphere. However, the tranquil space and the rich energy of the dragon god deeply move the hearts of visitors.

If you want to be immersed in the spiritual power of the dragon god, or if you like the dragon god, please visit once. I'm sure you'll have a great experience.

After visiting the Hakryu Shrine, we were able to refresh our minds and bodies and live our daily lives with a new feeling.

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More information about Hachiryu Shrine
Shrine name: Hachiryu Shrine

Location: 1841 Ka, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Shrine: Ōwata Tokami

Founded: Genroku first year (1688)

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access

By car: About 20 minutes from the Higashi-Kanto Expressway Shiorai IC

Public transportation: About 20 minutes by taxi from Kashima Jingu Station on the JR Kashima Line

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Parking lot available

Red seal, none (may be available at a nearby Susu Shrine)

Summary: Charge the energy of the dragon god with a breath walk

This visit to the Hakryu Shrine was intended to be a short walk in between visiting the three shrines of the Eastern Kingdom. However, when I actually visited, it was a wonderful experience that far exceeded my expectations.

The fresh air of the Susu Shrine and the rich energy of the dragon god of the Hakryu Shrine. By visiting these two shrines, I was able to refresh my mind and body and gain new strength.

There are many fascinating shrines in Hitachi that are still unknown. From now on, I would like to visit various shrines and feel the breath of the local gods while enriching my own heart.

On this trip, I was able to feel once again the depth of Japan's shrines and the power of nature. And I want to continue to cherish the beautiful scenery of Japan and the gods that live there.

The Hakryu Shrine is a must-visit place when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and quietly face yourself, or when you want to feel the energy of the dragon god. I'm sure it will leave something special in your heart.

The Hakryu Shrine, which we visited at the end of our walk, was a mysterious place that was a fitting end to this trip.

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