Motegi Yakumo Jinja (Motegi)

Yakumo Jinja in Motegi Town is an old shrine said to have been founded in 1192. Its principal deity is Susanoo no Mikoto, known for warding off misfortune and for blessings of health, recovery from illness, and traffic safety, and it has long been treasured by the local community. Hosokawa Okimoto, founder of the Motegi domain, is also enshrined here as a companion deity. Tradition holds that the lord of Motegi, Lord Hosokawa, built and moved the shrine to its present site during the Kansei era, around 1791 to 1796, lending the shrine a deep sense of history.

Highlights

• A main hall enshrining Susanoo, revered as a god of protection from misfortune and of good health
• The honor of enshrining Hosokawa Okimoto, tied to the Motegi domain, as a companion deity
• Seasonal goshuin and other items that make fine mementos of a visit

Enjoying the Seasons

Each year on July 25 the main day of the Gion Festival is held to dispel the misfortunes of summer, lively with children carrying portable shrines and a fireworks display. Held around the same time, the Furusato Motegi Festival fills the whole town with energy. After the main festival, a procession carries the portable shrine through the town, brightening summer in Motegi.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Motegi Town, Tochigi Prefecture
• Within walking distance of Motegi Station, the terminus of the Moka Railway, for easy access
• Conveniently placed for a stop while strolling around central Motegi

Practical Travel Notes

• For a quiet visit, a weekday outside the festival is best; around the Gion Festival on July 25 the town is busy and parking and traffic may be affected
• The Moka Railway also runs a steam locomotive; if visiting by train, check the SL operating days and work them into your plans for extra enjoyment (confirm operating days in advance)
• Allow about 30 minutes for the visit. Within walking distance of the station, it fits a half-day to full-day plan alongside a stroll through Motegi and the Michi-no-Eki Motegi
• Some goshuin change with the season and are popular as mementos; costs center on a few hundred to around a thousand yen for charms and goshuin
• The nearby Mobility Resort Motegi (formerly Twin Ring Motegi) makes the area convenient for families as well

A Quick Tip

Visiting during the summer festival lets you feel firsthand the deeply rooted local faith and the heat of the celebration. If you prefer a quiet visit, a weekday outside the festival is best.

📚 Sources

This article is based on guidance published by Motegi Yakumo Shrine and tourism information from Motegi Town. Notes on Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the history tied to the Motegi domain lord Hosokawa Okimoto, and the Gion Festival refer to shrine guidance and on-site explanations. Festival dates, goshuin service, and Moka Railway steam-train days may change, so please confirm with the shrine or transport operator official information before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes for worship; half a day to a day with a town walk and Michi-no-Eki Motegi.
• Route tips: Within walking distance of the Moka Railway terminus, Motegi Station, easy to pair with a town stroll.
• Timing: For a quiet visit, a weekday away from the festival is best; the town is lively around the Gion Festival.
• Railway fun: Checking the Moka Railway steam-train days and adding it to your plan adds to the trip.
• Budget: Amulets and goshuin seals mostly cost from a few hundred to about a thousand yen.