Miwa Shrine

Miwa Shrine, in Ninomiya, Misaka Town, Fuefuki City, Yamanashi, is a venerable old shrine said to be linked to Omiwa Shrine in Nara. Its enshrined deity is Omononushi, long revered as a god of bonds and of building the land, and Miwa Shrine too has been quietly loved by those who pray for good relationships. Counted as the second shrine of Kai Province and holding the former rank of a prefectural shrine, it has not been overly turned into a tourist site, making it a calm spot for worship.

By shrine tradition it was invited from Omiwa Shrine in Yamato Province, present-day Nara, and its origins are said to reach the era of Emperor Keiko. The precinct is surrounded by trees and wrapped in the gentle air of the Fuefuki countryside. There is nothing showy about it, and for that reason it is a place where you can feel the original quiet of a shrine and the depth of its history. It is also counted among the shrines named in the national histories, and its wooden statue of Omononushi is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Highlights

• An old lineage said to be linked to Omiwa Shrine in Nara
• The rank of second shrine of Kai Province and former prefectural shrine
• Worship to Omononushi, known as a god of bonds
• A wooden statue of Omononushi designated an Important Cultural Property
• A quiet, settled precinct surrounded by trees

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring is a fine time to visit, when the trees in the precinct bud and the whole Fuefuki countryside blooms with peach and cherry blossoms. In summer the shade brings coolness, ideal for a quiet visit. Autumn adds colored leaves to the grounds, and in winter a dignified stillness lingers in the crisp air. It pairs well with a relaxed tour of the surrounding orchards. Seasonal rites such as the Yutate ritual on February 8 and the main festival on March 15 are also worth seeing.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 1450-1 Ninomiya, Misaka Town, Fuefuki City, Yamanashi
• Nearest station: JR Isawa Onsen Station
• Access: By car or bus from JR Isawa Onsen Station
• Parking: Use the lots around the shrine
• Admission: Free
• Main rites: Main festival (March 15), Yutate ritual (February 8)

Practical Travel Notes

• The best season is spring, when the Fuefuki countryside is colored by peach and cherry blossoms. In the peach blossom period especially, the whole countryside turns pink
• The visit itself takes about 30 minutes. Combined with a tour of the surrounding orchards or Isawa Onsen, it makes for a relaxed one-day or overnight trip
• As an old shrine with few tourists, weekdays are especially quiet for worship
• Isawa Onsen has many inns and day-use bathing facilities, ideal for a rest after your visit, and orchards for peach and grape picking are scattered nearby
• Admission is free. Paired with fruit picking at an orchard or a hot spring, it is easy to plan the budget for a trip that savors the season

A Quick Tip

Fuefuki is famous for peaches and grapes, and in the spring peach blossom season the whole countryside turns pink. Visiting together with the orchards or Isawa Onsen makes for a leisurely trip. If you wish for good bonds, press your palms together quietly and with heart.

📚 Sources

This article draws on the guidance of Miwa Shrine, tourism information from Fuefuki City, explanations of its ties to Omiwa Shrine in Nara and the Important Cultural Property wooden statue of Omononushi, and notices on the yudate rite and annual festival. Festival dates and the operating state of nearby orchards and Isawa Onsen vary by season. Since fees and times may change, please confirm the shrines or citys official information before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: The visit is about 30 minutes; with nearby orchards or Isawa Onsen it becomes a relaxed day or overnight.
• Best season: Spring, when the Fuefuki countryside turns to peach and cherry, tints the whole area pink at blossom time.
• Highlight: The Important Cultural Property wooden Omononushi statue, the yudate rite on 8 February, and the 15 March festival are all of note.
• Quietness: Few tourists visit this old shrine, so weekdays are especially calm.
• Nearby stops: Combine with Isawa Onsen inns or day baths and orchards for peach or grape picking.