Tamatsukuriyu Shrine, a Power Spot in a Hot Spring Town in Matsue Where You Pray to the Wish Stone

Set at the back of the Tamatsukuri hot spring town in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Tamatsukuriyu Shrine is a venerable shrine that enshrines the deity of hot springs and the deity of magatama bead making. Recorded in the Nara period Izumo no Kuni Fudoki chronicle, it is an ancient listed shrine. Its location lets you drop by while strolling the hot spring town, long famed for waters said to be good for the skin, and praying to the Wish Stone in the grounds has become very popular.

Highlights

• A perfectly round natural stone known as the Wish Stone, said to grant wishes when you touch it and pray
• A distinctive ritual of receiving a small Granting Stone at the shrine office and holding it to the Wish Stone to share its power (the Granting Stone is offered at the shrine office for a modest fee of a few hundred yen; confirm details on site)
• A faith rooted in the history of magatama making, since this was a source of fine stone material
• Quiet grounds where you can pray calmly even though it sits at the back of a hot spring town

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the greenery along the Tamayu River running through the town buds and strolling is pleasant. In summer more people visit together with the hot springs to seek relief from the heat. In autumn the surrounding trees turn color and the mood grows mellow. In winter you can enjoy a warming visit alongside the steam rising over the hot spring town.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
• Public transport: about 5 minutes by taxi from JR Tamatsukuri Onsen Station, or enter the hot spring town by local bus and walk to the shrine
• Granting Stones and amulet pouches are available at the shrine office (which keeps set hours, so a daytime visit is best)
• It sits at the very back of the town along the river, so comfortable shoes are recommended

Practical Travel Notes

• Best timing: the shrine office is open during the day, so you can receive a Granting Stone before praying. If you are staying overnight, a late afternoon visit fits well
• Time needed: about 30 minutes for the visit and receiving a Granting Stone, or half a day including a stroll through the town
• Avoiding crowds: weekends and long holidays bring crowds to the whole hot spring town, while weekdays are more relaxed
• Nearby real spots: the town has free foot baths, a riverside promenade, and magatama making workshops. Central Matsue and Matsue Castle are also within reach
• Budget: worship is free; allow for the Granting Stone fee (a few hundred yen), hot spring bathing or lodging, and meals

A Quick Tip

After praying, it is best to enjoy a foot bath and a stroll through the hot spring town. The Granting Stone can be taken home as an amulet, so check the proper ritual at the shrine office before you pray. Since it sits at the very back of the town, an evening visit in a yukata during an overnight stay has real charm.

📚 Sources

This article was edited with reference to guidance from Tamatsukuriyu Shrine deep in the Tamatsukuri Onsen town in Tamayu, Matsue City, its heritage as a shrine recorded in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki, the worship custom of the wish stone and granting stone, and local information on the history of magatama making. Explanations from the shrine and region were consulted for the belief in the gods of the hot spring and of magatama making. The granting stone and shrine-office reception may change, so please check the official information of the shrine and others before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes for worship and receiving the granting stone, or about half a day with a stroll through the hot-spring town.
• Suggested route: Receive a granting stone at the shrine office and worship in the distinctive way of touching it to the wish stone on the grounds to share its power.
• Access: It is about five minutes by taxi from JR Tamatsukuri-onsen Station, or enter the town by local bus and walk to the shrine.
• Charms: The granting stone and amulet pouch are obtained at the shrine office, which has reception hours, so a daytime visit is recommended.
• What to wear: It sits at the far end of the town along the river, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Nearby: The town has free foot baths, a riverside promenade, and a magatama-making facility to enjoy together.