Is the fortune at Iwaki-yama Shrine always 'Great Blessing' (Daikichi)!?

A mountain where the beauty of the word 'susomawari' (skirt/foothills) feels just right.
Mt. Iwaki

The reading is split between 'san' and 'yama', which is a bit confusing, but I made sure not to get it wrong when referring to the shrine.

I think living in an area where you can see a mountain is truly special.
When I look at a huge mountain, I feel like time flows more slowly.
I feel like my perspective on things changes.
I also think it's easier to feel the seasons.
It's wonderful.

Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Thanks to a stroke of luck, I traveled to the Tohoku region for the first time the year before last.

I'm the type who makes a travel notebook to gradually build up excitement before I even go. This time, too, I thoroughly researched the charms of Hirosaki before heading out.
'Neputa Festival'—this is also the Aomori 'Nebuta'. The '゜' and '゛' are confusing.
Now, speaking of 'festivals', that means station bento!
I bought my favorites, 'Fukagawa-meshi' and 'Odawara Chochin', as travel companions and set off!

・Apple Pie Tour
Anyway, no matter where you go in the city, it's overflowing with love for apples.
There are many stylish bakeries, but you can find apple pie everywhere you go—at cake shops, tourist spots, and cafes. I had done my homework, so I chose and compared items with less acidity, which I prefer.

・Neputa Festival
I reserved a chair seat and enjoyed it thoroughly. 'Ya-ya-do!' Since it's a festival supported by the whole region, there was a coolness and love that made it feel like everyone, young and old, has been raised on the festival since they were small!

・Oirase Mountain Stream
My legs are weak, so I had to sightsee by bus, but it was a place where the greenery was very beautiful, full of negative ions, and it made me feel energized. I wish I had come and walked it when I was a little younger. It's a wonderful place.

・Iwaki-yama Shrine (I liked it quite a bit) Recommended!
I went when it was very hot, but with a view of Mt. Iwaki and surrounded by trees, it had a solemn atmosphere. Just walking along the approach made me feel cool.
There are few stairs, so even I, who am not confident in my legs, could come easily.
The 'two guardian dog statues on the stone fence' at the top of the stairs are famous,
and it is said that the upward-facing guardian dog brings good luck with money, while the downward-facing one brings good luck in love.

In the precincts, there is a water purification pavilion shaped like a three-headed dragon, and the water overflowing vigorously from the dragon god's mouth is spring water from Mt. Iwaki. It is said that you can not only purify your hands but also drink it. Please try taking the power of the water into your whole body.
It is said to bring blessings for having children.

※However, the ladle is incredibly longso please be careful. It's a length that will make you laugh.

The shrine pavilion is profound and so beautiful that it is nicknamed 'Nikko of the North'.

And, an acquaintance living in Hirosaki said, 'I've only ever gotten a Great Blessing (Daikichi) from the fortune at Iwaki-yama Shrine,' so I believed them and drew one. And what do you know!!'Great Blessing'It was!
I received the blessing!

Also, what I came to love on this trip was something I encountered in the foothills

'Dake-kimi' (corn)
It's incredibly sweet and truly delicious!!!
The season is limited, so I reserved some and had them sent to me.
From now on, I want to enjoy ordering them every year.
I love corn and have compared them by ordering from all over the country, but personally, this is number one by far!

The
squid mince cutlet and shell-grilled misointroduced in 'The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House' were also delicious~

Next time, I would like to go see the 'Hirosaki Castle Park cherry blossoms' in some spring to come.