Takabe Shrine

Takabe Shrine, in the Chikura district of Minamiboso, is a rare shrine and the only one in Japan to enshrine the deity of cooking. Its principal deity, Iwakamutsukari, appears in the Chronicles of Japan in a tale of presenting a dish to Emperor Keiko, and was thereafter regarded as the ancestor of the imperial court cooks. The shrine draws deep devotion from chefs, soy sauce and miso brewers, and all who love good food.

Highlights

- As a shrine to the god of food, it is visited by cooks and by brewers of soy sauce and miso. - The knife ceremony offered at the grand festival is a court ritual dating from the Heian era, in which food is prepared using only a knife and metal chopsticks, never touched by hand. - Many votive tablets praying for skill in cooking and prosperity in business are offered on the grounds.

Enjoying the Seasons

The knife ceremony is performed at the grand festivals each May, October, and November, a rare chance to watch the ancient gestures up close. Set in the mild southern Boso, the shrine is easy to visit year-round, and many come as part of a trip to savor the bounty of the sea.

Access and Basic Information

- About 5 minutes by car from Chikura Station on the JR Uchibo Line. - Located along the southern Boso coast, it pairs well with sightseeing by car. - Parking is available, and amulets for cooking skill and business prosperity are popular.

A Quick Tip

Blessings are said to extend not only to those who work with food but also to anyone who simply loves to eat well. Time your visit to the knife ceremony to feel the solemnity of a ritual carried on for more than a thousand years. A trip that also savors the local seafood is highly recommended.