Kasama Inari Shrine
笠間稲荷神社
One of Japan's three great Inari shrines, known for its worship hall and a late Edo-period main hall with finely carved exteriors; the shrine approach has Inari sushi and Kasama ware shops.
Kasama Inari Shrine is traditionally said to have been founded in 651. Together with Fushimi Inari in Kyoto and Yutoku Inari in Saga, it is counted among Japan's three great Inari shrines, and it draws many visitors every year. Its main hall was built in the late Edo period, with intricate carvings covering the exterior walls, and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The grounds contain a wisteria several hundred years old, which blooms from April to May. The Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival, held from mid-October to late November, is one of the oldest chrysanthemum festivals in Japan.
The shrine town offers Inari sushi, soba noodles, and shops selling Kasama ware pottery. Nearby are Kasama Crafts Hill and the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art.
Getting there: Take the Joban and Mito Lines from JR Mito Station to Kasama Station, about 30 minutes, then walk about 20 minutes.
Opening hours
Open all day (shrine office approx. 08:00–16:30)
Nearby sights
- Kasama Nichido Museum of Art
- Mobility Resort Motegi
- Tokugawa Museum
- Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History
- Tokiwa Shrine
- Kairaku-en
- Mito Hachiman-gū
- Lake Senba