Samukawa Shrine — Japan's Only Eight-Direction Protection Shrine

At the turning points of life, we wish to be shielded from every kind of misfortune. Answering that wish is Samukawa Shrine, enshrined in Samukawa Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is known as the only shrine in Japan celebrated for the blessing of happo-yoke, warding off calamity from all directions, whether tied to land, home, or compass bearing. As the ichinomiya (first shrine) of the old Sagami Province, it has drawn deep faith since ancient times and stands as a noted power spot.

About Samukawa Shrine

Samukawa Shrine is the ichinomiya of Sagami Province, an ancient shrine ranked among the high-status myojin-taisha of the classical registers. Its founding date is unknown but extremely old, and tradition holds that offerings were already presented from the imperial court around 1,600 years ago in the age of Emperor Yuryaku. The enshrined deities are Samukawa-hiko no Mikoto and Samukawa-hime no Mikoto, together called Samukawa Daimyojin. Amid green-rich grounds stands a solemn hall, filled with a sacred and refreshing air.

The Blessing of Eight-Direction Protection

What makes Samukawa Shrine known throughout the country is its one-of-a-kind blessing of happo-yoke. This means removing misfortune that comes from every direction, whether tied to land, home, bearing, or timing, and inviting good fortune instead. Many people come to pray at every turning point of life, from building and moving house to travel and opening a business. Throughout the year it bustles with worshippers wishing for family harmony and the warding off of bad luck.

Kantakeyama Shinen Garden

Behind the main hall lies a beautiful Japanese garden called Kantakeyama Shinen. It is a special space open only to those who have received a ritual prayer, a sacred place said to be linked to Samukawa Daimyojin. With a well-tended pond garden, a tea house, and the Hotoku archive hall, it lets you quietly settle the heart. It is open, in a typical year, from April through the end of November, closed on Mondays, and those who receive a prayer (with a set offering) are given an admission ticket. The natural beauty of the four seasons makes for a special moment after worship.

Enjoying the Seasons

The New Year period draws especially large crowds, and with several hundred thousand visitors over the first three days of January alone, it is one of the prefecture's leading spots for the first shrine visit of the year. The annual festival falls on September 20. The seasons of fresh greenery and autumn foliage are refreshing as well, and from spring to autumn, while the Kantakeyama Shinen garden is open, you can enjoy its four-season scenery too.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 3916 Miyayama, Samukawa Town, Koza District, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Miyayama Station on the JR Sagami Line
• Hours: Grounds open freely (prayer and amulet offices during daytime)
• Admission: Free (the Kantakeyama Shinen garden is open to those who receive a prayer; parking available)

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: To enjoy the garden, aim for daytime during its open period from spring to autumn. To worship quietly away from New Year crowds, a weekday just after the holidays is ideal
• Avoiding crowds: The first three days of January and the days around the annual festival are very crowded, and roads and parking fill up too, so arriving by train is reassuring
• Time needed: About 30 minutes for the main hall alone, or an hour to an hour and a half if you also tour the garden
• Nearby spots: Easy to reach along the Sagami Line, it pairs well with a stroll around the Miyayama Station area
• Budget sense: Worship is free. A set offering is required if you receive a ritual prayer

A Quick Tip

Eight-direction protection is especially popular with those facing a new beginning, such as moving, building a home, opening a business, or setting out on a journey. Since the Kantakeyama Shinen garden has a limited open period, if you wish to enjoy the garden too, choose the spring-to-autumn season and avoid the Monday closing day.

📚 Sources

This information is based on public materials from local governments such as Samukawa Town and tourism associations, on the shrine's public information, and on on-site guidance and history notices. Known for all-directions protection, it is especially crowded during the New Year and festival periods. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please check official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 20 to 30 minutes to worship within the grounds
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes; cash for prayers, amulets, and seals
• Suggested route: Worship at the hall mentioned in the article and tour the grounds at a relaxed pace
• Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Miyayama Station on the JR Sagami line
• Budget: Worship is free; prayers and amulets are separate, and seals run a few hundred yen