Fukusakae Shrine, One of the Eight Lucky Shrines of Tottori

In Nichinan, Tottori, there is a shrine called Fukusakae Shrine. Bearing an auspicious name made of fortune and prosper, it is known as one of the Eight Lucky Shrines of Inaba and Hoki. It is not flashy as a sightseeing spot, and for that very reason it is a quiet place to wish for good luck.

It was once called Tanaka Daimyojin and was revered as the tutelary deity of the villages in this area. In 1913, in the Taisho era, eight nearby shrines with auspicious place names such as Toyosaka and Fukuzuka were gathered at the foot of Mount Myoken and enshrined together, and it was renamed to its present name. The very wish held in the name gently encourages those who visit. At the autumn festival each November, the local performing art Fukusakae Kashira uchi, designated an intangible folk cultural property of the prefecture, is dedicated, and it is the liveliest time of the year.

Highlights

• An auspicious shrine name that means to prosper
• A founding that gathered eight shrines from Tanaka Daimyojin into one
• A quiet precinct spreading at the foot of Mount Myoken
• The Fukusakae Kashira uchi, a prefectural intangible folk cultural property, dedicated at the autumn festival

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the trees around the precinct bud and a refreshing air fills the grounds. In summer the green is deep and the coolness unique to the hills is pleasant. In autumn the November festival is held, a special time to encounter the Kashira uchi in which people parade while beating drums. In winter all falls silent, and you can put your hands together slowly in the clear air. If you wish for good luck, the turn of the year or before a new challenge is recommended.

Access and Basic Information

• Located in the Shinfu area of Nichinan, Hino County, Tottori
• Resting at the foot of Mount Myoken
• Introduced as one of the Eight Lucky Shrines of Inaba and Hoki
• Set in the hills, an easy location to reach by car

Practical Travel Notes

• The best time is around the November autumn festival, when you can encounter the local performing art
• The visit itself takes about 30 minutes even at a slow pace, so it fits easily as one stop on a tour of the Eight Lucky Shrines
• As it is a quiet shrine, weekdays and early mornings are even calmer for prayer
• Nichinan lies in the hills of the Chugoku mountains, and winters bring snow and ice, so allow extra time when driving in the cold season
• The same town holds Hijiridaki, known for matchmaking, so you can plan a route combining good luck and good connections
• As a budget guide, prayer is free; if you receive a shrine seal or an amulet, allow from a few hundred to around a thousand yen

A Quick Tip

Some people visit it as one stop on a journey around the Eight Lucky Shrines. Drawing on the name, it is good to pray here before a new year or a new challenge. If you time your visit to the November autumn festival, you may also encounter the local Kashira uchi.

📚 Sources

This article draws on published information from Nichinan Town and its tourism-related sources, along with the shrine tradition of Fukusakae Shrine and tradition about the eight good-fortune shrines of Inaba and Hoki. On-site guidance in the precincts was also consulted. Visiting hours and the state of nearby paths may change, so please confirm official information before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Allow about 30 minutes for the visit and a stroll of the precincts.
• Preparation: Comfortable shoes suit walking the approach and precincts.
• Getting around: Proceed from the approach to the main hall and tour the quiet precincts.
• Purpose of visit: Tied to its auspicious name meaning fortune and prosperity, it is cherished for prayers of good fortune.
• Note: An unassuming hidden gem, it suits quietly praying for good fortune.