For over 1200 years Shiogama Shrine, or ‘Mutsu-no-ichinomiya’, has been the most important shrine in northern Japan.
Favoured by the Date family (there is a history museum in the grounds of the shrine dedicated to the area’s samurai history), Shiogama Shrine remains inextricably linked to the development of sake in Miyagi Prefecture, particularly that of Shiogama’s ‘jizake’ (local sake) produced by Abekan and Urakasumi breweries.
Shiogama Shrine houses three different deities including ‘Shiotsuchi-no-oji’, the god of salt-making.
People travel to Shiogama Shrine from all around northern Japan to pray to Shiotsuchi-no-oji for marine safety and safety in childbirth.
The steep climb up some 202 stone steps to the main entrance is well worth it, not only for the striking shrine buildings, but for the stunning view over Matsushima Bay.
