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Pay respects at Iizaka Hachiman Shrine (飯坂八幡神社), the guardian shrine known for its 'fighting festival'

About this spot

The guardian shrine that has watched over the hot spring town of Iizaka Onsen, said to enshrine Hachiman, the deity associated with the Genji clan. The shrine's grand festival is known as the 'Iizaka Kenka Matsuri' (fighting festival), where floats crash into one another fiercely, and it is sometimes counted among Japan's three great fighting festivals for its spectacular nature. The grounds during ordinary times are quiet by contrast, and the shrine building with its woods create a serene setting that gently embraces the bustle of the hot spring town. Many visitors come to pray for good fortune in romance and household safety, making it a fitting place to offer thanks at the conclusion of a couple's or spouse's journey. After paying respects, shared bathhouses and traditional shops dot the surrounding slopes and alleys, and it's enjoyable to stroll through this area while sensing the pulse of life in the hot spring town.

Tips

About a 7-minute walk from Iizaka Onsen Station. Visits to the shrine grounds are free and open to the public. If you wish to receive a stamp (goshuin), check the office reception hours on site. Stone steps and slopes make comfortable walking shoes advisable. The area has local roads with vehicle traffic, so be mindful of your surroundings when photographing.