Izumi Jinja Shrine

Located in Mizuki, Hitachi City, Ibaraki, Izumi Jinja is a shrine listed in the ancient Engishiki register and said to be the oldest in the Hitachi area. The emerald-blue spring welling up in its precinct is so beautiful that it is cherished as a mystical hidden power spot. The enshrined deity is Amenohayatamahime no Mikoto.

This spring appears in the ancient Hitachi regional records, and because men and women have long gathered here to enjoy feasts, it is still regarded as a power spot for love. The spring water has been chosen as one of Japan's Hundred Famous Waters of the Heisei era by the Ministry of the Environment.

Highlights

• A clear emerald-blue spring. Peering into it brings a purity that seems to wash the heart clean
• A water fortune slip that tells your luck using the spring water, with letters that rise to the surface when soaked
• A misfortune-breaking ball you can use to purify yourself

Enjoying the Seasons

In the season of fresh greenery, the surrounding forest glows and the blue of the spring stands out even more. Summer draws visitors seeking cool relief, and autumn offers a fine contrast of foliage and spring. The spring viewed in the clear winter air has a beauty all its own.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 2-22-1 Mizuki, Hitachi City, Ibaraki
• Public transport: about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from Omika Station on the JR Joban Line
• By car: about 4.5 km from the Hitachi Minami Ota IC on the Joban Expressway
• Parking: a first lot for about 15 cars and a second lot for about 100 cars

Practical Travel Notes

• Best seasons: early summer with fresh greenery and autumn with foliage are especially beautiful, and in the hot season the spring-side is refreshingly cool
• Timing and avoiding crowds: the blue of the spring changes with the angle of light, so a sunny morning is the moment to aim for. It is a lesser-known spot where you can worship in relative calm even on holidays
• Time needed: about 30 minutes to an hour to view the spring and worship; allow a little more if you want a water fortune slip or an amulet
• Nearby real spots: nearby Omika Jinja, known for its sacred rock, draws many worshippers who tour both together
• Budget sense: worship is a casual stop. Items such as the water fortune slip or the misfortune-breaking ball are on the order of a few hundred yen each

A Quick Tip

The blue of the spring changes with the weather and the angle of light. It is said to shine most beautifully on a sunny morning. Pairing it with nearby Omika Jinja is also recommended. Though the spring is renowned as famous water, follow the on-site signage as to whether it is safe to drink.

📚 Sources

This article is based on grounds guidance and on-site signs at Izumi Shrine, information published by Hitachi City and local tourism organizations, and general published details about the Ministry of the Environment's list of noted waters and the Hitachi Province Fudoki. Offering reception, parking use, and whether the spring water is drinkable may change. Before your visit, please confirm the latest details through official Izumi Shrine and Hitachi City information or on-site guidance.

Visitor Checklist

• Approximate time: About 30 minutes to 1 hour to view the spring and worship; allow more if seeking a water fortune slip or an amulet
• What to bring: The blue of the spring shifts with the light, so a clear morning is ideal; the spring is famed as fine water, but follow on-site signs about whether it is drinkable
• Suggested route: View the emerald blue spring and worship, then draw a water fortune slip that reveals its message when wet and purify yourself with a misfortune breaking ball
• Seasonal tip: Fresh green in early summer and foliage in autumn are especially lovely, and the spring side is cool in hot weather; this hidden spot is fairly calm even on holidays
• Nearby spots: Nearby Omika Shrine, known for its Shukukon-seki rock, draws many worshippers as a paired visit