MieLeisure

Pay respects at Yokkaichi's guardian shrine and take a leisurely stroll through the arcade shopping street

About this spot

Yokkaichi's guardian shrine, said to have welcomed the deity from Suwa Taisha in Shinshū during the early Kamakura period. Situated just beside the arcade shopping street in Suwa Sakae-cho, the town's center, it offers a striking contrast—stepping away from the bustling street filled with shoppers leads to a serene grounds surrounded by trees. The shrine remains deeply connected to the town's life today, including hosting the Yokkaichi Festival, its principal festival. After paying your respects, it's enjoyable to stroll through the arcade and peek into old-fashioned kissaten tea shops and traditional Japanese confectionery stores, making for a perfect post-lunch digestive walk. With a covered shopping street overhead, it's also a reassuring route for walking on rainy days.

Tips

About a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station, located past the arcade shopping street "Omote Sando Suwamae," allowing for prayer with minimal rain exposure on wet days. The grounds are flat and stroller-friendly. Prayers are free; if you wish to receive a goshuin stamp, visit during business hours when the shrine office is open. The shopping street has several shops perfect for a post-lunch rest.