[Tourism] Sightseeing around Aomori Shrine 100 Views Stickers - Iwaki-yama Shrine
At 21 shrines within Aomori Prefecture, Shrine 100 Views stickers are being distributed for a limited time from July 20th to August 31st. If you visit the shrine and speak to someone at the shrine office, you can receive one sticker per person for free.
The design is reminiscent of a certain wafer sticker, making you want to collect them all.
I have only visited 6 shrines so far, but I plan to travel around to various places aiming to complete the set. I will introduce recommended sightseeing spots and souvenirs near the shrines, so I hope this will be of some help.
The first shrine is Iwaki-yama Shrine. It is a popular shrine at the foot of Mount Iwaki, known as a power spot for matchmaking.
The weather was nice on this day, but thick clouds were covering Mount Iwaki. If the clouds had cleared, you would be able to see Mount Iwaki behind the torii gate, but unfortunately, that was not the case this time...
The approach is a single stone-paved path with tall trees on both sides leading up to the main hall, so it is very grateful that it provides shade even on hot days.
As you proceed along the approach, you will see a vermilion-lacquered gate. There is a small pond with a bridge in front of the gate, and since the official Iwaki-yama Shrine Instagram posted that they started keeping koi carp around last month, I took a look.
Before heading to the gate, please stop by the purification fountain. If you go to the right of the gate, there is a fountain in the shape of a dragon's head, and water is gushing out from the mouths of the three heads.
This water is spring water from Mount Iwaki and can also be used for drinking. Those who climb Mount Iwaki apparently fill their bottles with this water to take with them.
Once you have purified your hands and mouth, head to the gate. When you climb the stairs leading to the gate, there are rare guardian dogs on the left and right. Instead of sitting on pedestals, there is an upward-facing guardian dog that looks like it is climbing the fence pillar and a downward-facing one that looks like it is descending, and these guardian dogs are said to bring good luck.
The upward-facing guardian dog is said to improve financial luck, and the downward-facing one is said to improve romantic luck, and it is said that taking a picture of them and using it as your wallpaper will bring good fortune.
The above is a well-known benefit as tourist information, but among the locals, slightly different benefits are whispered. Since it is a matchmaking shrine, there is a particular focus on romantic luck, and there is information that those looking for a partner or wanting a new love should use the downward-facing guardian dog as their wallpaper, while those who want to stay with their current partner for a long time should use the upward-facing one.
Passing through the gate and moving forward, there is a magnificent middle gate. The main hall of Iwaki-yama Shrine is called the "Nikko of the North," and it is decorated with carvings and colors so luxurious that it reminds one of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Unfortunately, visitors cannot see the main hall, but looking at this middle gate, I think you can understand that nickname.
After finishing your visit, head to the shrine office to receive the Shrine 100 Views seal. I also saw a post on Instagram about a new original Iwaki-yama Shrine goshuin-cho (stamp book), so I purchased that as well this time.
It features a design of Mt. Iwaki at dusk with Kogin-zashi embroidery in the background. Since the cover is made of paper, you need to be careful on rainy days.
If you go to Iwaki-yama Shrine, I recommend buying 'Dake-kimi' corn sold at nearby souvenir shops.
'Kimi' is the Tsugaru dialect word for corn. It is a brand of corn grown on the Dake Highlands at the foot of Mt. Iwaki, and it is a very sweet variety with a sugar content comparable to that of a melon.
Farmers sometimes sell them at unmanned stands along the road, but they sell out quickly due to their popularity.
At souvenir shops, you can also find freshly boiled Dake-kimi and Dake-kimi soft-serve ice cream. If you want to take some home as a souvenir, processed products like chilled packs or soup are also recommended!
Kai Tsugaru also serves Dake-kimi tempura as a fried dish during dinner. Although the availability is limited to a certain season, it has been very well received by our guests.
This time, I introduced Iwaki-yama Shrine, which was the first shrine I visited. The Aomori Shrine 100 Views seals are distributed not only in the Tsugaru region but also at shrines in the Shimokita and Nanbu areas.
Since the distances are quite far, it might take some time to complete the collection, but I hope to introduce them again along with sightseeing spots around the shrines.