Tsuchiya Shrine

Overview

Tsuchiya Shrine sits within Kijo Park in central Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture. Located in a corner of the park laid out over the ruins of Tsuchiura Castle, it lets visitors worship amid the atmosphere of a castle site where water moats and gates remain. Though in the heart of the city, it is wrapped in greenery and quiet, cherished as a stop on a historic stroll through Tsuchiura. For details on its history and festivals, check the on-site notices or official information.

Highlights

• ●Set within the Tsuchiura Castle ruins of Kijo Park
• ●Worship amid a castle site with surviving moats and gates
• ●Greenery and quiet in the very heart of the city
• ●Spring cherry blossoms coloring the castle ruins

History

Tsuchiya Shrine is enshrined within the grounds of Tsuchiura Castle, now the landscaped Kijo Park in central Tsuchiura. Tsuchiura Castle was the seat of the Tsuchiya clan, who once governed Tsuchiura, and its moat-encircled form earned it the nickname Kijo, or Turtle Castle. The shrine's name, Tsuchiya, is likewise deeply tied to the history of this place. For the exact founding and enshrined deity, refer to the shrine's notices or Tsuchiura City's official information.

Map

36.0853, 140.1981 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Walk from the west exit of JR Tsuchiura Station through the city center
2. 2Enter Kijo Park and view the moats and gates of the Tsuchiura Castle ruins
3. 3Pay a visit at Tsuchiya Shrine
4. 4End the stroll enjoying the park's greenery and seasonal flowers

Did you know?

💡 The Kijo Park where the shrine stands takes its name from Tsuchiura Castle: surrounded by water, the castle was said to resemble a turtle's shell, hence Kijo, or Turtle Castle. It is a historic space unique to Tsuchiura, where castle and shrine are as one.

Nearby spots