It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I said I came all the way to Ibaraki, in the Oarai area just to see Kamisoo-no-Torii.
This is the third torii (gate) for Isosaki-Jinja shrine created over a thousand years ago but why it was put there, no one knows the real reason.
What is known is that Oarai Isosaki-jinja shrine was established back in 856 enshrined to a deity of medicine who bestows happiness and a good match. The shrine was lost in a war between 1558-1570 and rebuilt by samurai hero Tokugawa Mitsukuni (Mito Komon) in 1690.
Designated as a cultural property of Ibaraki, it’s definitely an area worth visiting.
While the first gate (known as “Ichii-no-torii) is right in front of the entrance of the long staircase going up to the shrine and a smaller one to a shrine once you get up, it’s the Kamiiso-no-Torii that is absolutely beautiful to see.
It’s one thing to see it in photos, it’s another thing just to be there as you see waves crashing into the torii and rocks. I can only imagine how sunrise and sunset would be but unfortunately, as I was visiting Ibaraki, my time at beachside was only during noon to early afternoon.
But when I got there, it was gorgeous…the blue skies and clouds, no overcast. And just looking at the area and knowing that Ibaraki was rocked by the earthquake and tsunami disaster, it was good to see the torii still standing as it did over a thousand years ago.
Right in front of the torii looks like a small structure but it’s so old and weathered that it’s kind of hard to see what is written. But for those who want to take a chance in translating it, you can view my larger photo here.
One thing I was contemplating was crossing from the rock hill where I was at and going closer towards the torii and while I’m sure it can be done, because waves crashing into the rock in the middle, is not a good idea. I was in no mood of being a casualty of curiosity.
But I was told by locals that they have never seen anyone in their life go that close to the torii and it probably is not a good thing to get too close.
But nevertheless, this is one of the breathtaking areas to visit and glad to finally make it to Ibaraki to see it up close.
