Ikime Shrine

Ikime Shrine in the Ikime area of Miyazaki City is an old shrine standing atop a hill known as Mount Kamei. Affectionately called the Ikime-sama of Hyuga, it has long drawn worshippers as a shrine with powerful blessings for eye healing. Visitors come not only from Kyushu but from far away to pray.

The main enshrined deities are Homda-wake no Mikoto, known as Emperor Ojin, and Fujiwara no Kagekiyo. A legend remains about Kagekiyo, a warrior who survived the wars between the Genji and Heike clans, and his story is said to have given rise to the shrine reputation as a deity of the eyes.

Highlights

- The sacred water that springs from Mount Kamei, a prized water that many use to cleanse the eyes and take home to treasure. - A quiet precinct on the hill, where a calm air flows despite being within the city. - The many votive tablets praying for eye healing, conveying the wishes of people gathered from across the country.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the trees in the precinct bud and wrap the grounds in soft green. Summer brings cool shade, autumn offers pleasant visits in crisp air, and in winter you can pray quietly with few others around. It is a shrine where you can spend calm time all year round.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: Ikime, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture - Easy to reach by car from central Miyazaki. - Because it sits on a hill, the approach is a gentle uphill slope. - If you plan to take the sacred water home, it helps to bring a container.

A Quick Tip

This shrine suits not only those wishing for healthy eyes but also anyone who wants to pray in quiet. Cleanse your eyes with the sacred water and spend a calming moment in the clear air on the hill.