Iwakiyamajinja Shrine is located at the southeastern foot of Mount Iwaki, in Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. It is also known by the nicknames “O-Iwaki-sama,” “O-yama” (“The Mountain”), and “Oku-Nikkō” (“Inner Nikkō”). Formerly ranked as a National Shrine of the Third Rank (Kokuhei Shōsha), it is regarded as the Ichinomiya (highest-ranking shrine) of the Tsugaru region.
Founded: Traditionally dated to Hōki 11 (780)
Main Hall Style: Sangensha Nagare-zukuri with copper roof tiles
Annual Festival: August 1 (lunar calendar) – Hassaku Festival
Since ancient times, the shrine has been revered as the guardian deity of agriculture and fisheries, as well as the god of Tsugaru’s development, and as a sacred resting place for the ancestral spirits of the local people. The approach to the shrine is also known as one of the climbing routes to Mount Iwaki, whose inner shrine (Okumiya) is located near the mountain’s summit.
The shrine buildings retain remnants from the era of Shinbutsu-shūgō (syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism), displaying the structural influences of esoteric Buddhist temples from the Kamakura period. At the same time, colorful decorative carvings reminiscent of the Momoyama period adorn the complex. Its ornate appearance has earned it the nickname “Oku-Nikkō” (“Inner Nikkō”), drawing comparisons to Nikkō Tōshō-gū.
Five deities are collectively enshrined as Iwakiyama Ōkami:
• Utsushikunitama-no-Kami (Ōkuninushi-no-Kami)
• Tatsubihime-no-Kami
• Ukanome-no-Kami
• Ōyama-tsumi-no-Kami
• Sakanoue no Karitamaro no Mikoto
There are several theories about its origin, but the oldest tradition states that in Hōki 11 (780), a shrine building was first erected at the summit of Mount Iwaki. In Enryaku 19 (800), after subduing northeastern Japan with the divine aid of Iwakiyama Ōkami, General Sakanoue no Tamuramaro rebuilt the summit shrine. Later, a lower shrine (Oriinomiya, present-day Genkiyama Shrine) was established in the Tokoshinai area, and the summit shrine became known as the Okumiya. Tamuramaro is also said to have enshrined his father, Karitamaro, here.
In Kanji 5 (1091), following a divine message, the lower shrine was relocated from Tokoshinai to the Hyakuzawa area on the southeastern foot of Mount Iwaki, and renamed Hyakutaku-ji. This marked the origin of the present Iwakiyama Shrine. At that time, the mountain’s summit also had three Buddhist halls dedicated to Amida, Yakushi, and Kannon, and the site was known as Iwakiyama Sansho Daigongen of the Shingon sect’s Hyakutaku-ji Temple, attracting devotion from local lords and land stewards.
In Tenshō 17 (1589), a volcanic eruption of Mount Iwaki completely destroyed Hyakutaku-ji. Reconstruction began in Keichō 8 (1603) under Tsugaru Tamenobu, and continued with donations from successive lords such as Nobumaki, Nobuyoshi, and Nobumasa. The main sanctuary (honden), the inner gate (okumon), and the surrounding sacred fence (mizugaki) were collectively known as Oriinomiya and served as the chief guardian shrine of the Tsugaru domain during the Edo period.
• Shamusho (Shrine Office) – A designated Aomori Prefectural Cultural Asset. Built in Kōka 2 (1845) in irimoya-zukuri style with a thatched roof, it was designed to accommodate visits by the domain lord. Surrounding the central “Lord’s Room” (Goza-no-ma) is an earthen-floored veranda (tsuchien), with adjoining rooms such as Otsugi and Ozendate. Minor renovations have been made for use as the shrine office.
• Main Hall (Honden) – An Important Cultural Property. Built in Genroku 7 (1694) by the 4th domain lord, Tsugaru Nobumasa, in Sangensha Nagare-zukuri style with copper roof tiles. The entire structure is coated in black lacquer, accented with gold leaf, and richly decorated with vividly painted carvings and ornate metal fittings. The roof features karahafu and chidori hafu gables, and the front porch pillars bear elaborately carved ascending and descending dragons, making it a truly splendid edifice.
At the top of the stone steps in front of the tower gate, on either side of the stone wall, stand corner pillars adorned with guardian lion-dogs in amusing shapes. The one on the right looks upward, while the one on the left looks downward. Beyond their charming facial expressions, they appear to be playfully interacting with the pillars, giving them a humorous touch.
“Dake Kimi” is a premium sweet corn grown in the Dake Highlands at the foot of Mt. Iwaki in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. With a sugar content of over 18 degrees—on par with or even sweeter than melons—its kernels are so sweet they can be enjoyed raw. The cool climate and fertile soil at an elevation of 400–500 meters produce plump kernels with a delightful pop and juicy flavor. Freshly harvested, its taste is truly exceptional and unforgettable. At the grounds of Iwakiyama Shrine, you can savor professionally boiled Dake Kimi for just 300 yen.
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