Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

This shrine is one of the big three Hachimangu Shrines in Japan and brought protection to warriors of the Genji Clan as well as Kamakura samurai. Minamoto no Yoriyoshi prayed for divine protection at the Minamoto (Genji) Clan’s tutelary shrine (the Iwa Shimizu Hachimangu Shrine) in Kyoto before going into battle in 1603. He subsequently took control of Oshu and upon his return he built the original shrine in Yuigahama. The shrine is said to bring a wide range of blessings, including blessings for finding love, peace and prosperity of one’s household, a healthy and long life, academic success, general success and traffic safety. Every New Year the shrine is visited by some 2,500,000 visitors.