Introduction to Ishizuchi-jinja Shrine Temple
Ishizuchi-jinja Shrine is located on Mount Ishizuchi, one of the Seven Sacred Mountains of Japan. Founded in 685, it has become a base for mountain worship and has been visited by many people. It is said to bring benefits for the safety of the household, warding off misfortune, bringing good fortune, and curing illness.
Shukubo (shrine stay)
Ishizuchi-Jinja Shrine is located at the summit, mid-mountain, and foot of the mountain. The Ishizuchi-Jinja Kaikan, where you can stay overnight, is located at the shrine at the foot of the mountain.
We visited in September when the summer heat was still lingering. After more than two hours on the train from Matsuyama Station, we arrived at Ishizuchiyama Station. After walking a short distance from the station, we came across Ishizuchi-Jinja Shrine.
Within the spacious grounds was the Ishizuchi-Jinja Kaikan, where we would be staying.
The guest room was a 10-tatami Japanese-style room. There was a desk, a cushion, a full-length mirror, and a clothes hanger. There was also air conditioning.
The yukatas were available in the lobby and we could choose the size we wanted. Toothbrushes and razors were on sale.
Shrine experience
We had the experience of copying out Shinto prayers. This was recited during religious ceremonies. It is said that by purifying the heart, one can draw closer to KAMI (DIVINE BEING).
The number of characters in the Shinto prayers to be copied ranged from as little as 80 to as many as 800. We traced the example with a brush pen. It took a while because it was all in kanji, but I felt relieved when I finished.
Dinner
Dinner was served in the dining room on the first floor. We read words of thanks for the food and then ate.
The dinner menu consisted of rice, miso soup, sashimi, tempura, simmered dishes, boiled fish, grilled chicken with pepper, corn, egg roll, fruit, yogurt, and Japanese sweets.
Ehime Prefecture is famous for its barley miso, and the miso soup there had a milder taste than that in other regions. There was a lot of variety and I was able to have seconds of rice, so I was full.
After the meal, we went to a hot spring about a 5-minute drive away. The bathing tickets were given to us at the shukubo. A bath set including towels, bath towels, and shampoo was also included. It is said to be effective for beautifying the skin and relieving fatigue, and it warms the body very well.
Morning worship
The next morning at 6am, Worship was held at the main hall. Once inside, the Shinto priest guided us to the very back, in front of the KAMI (DIVINE BEING).
First, a large drum was beaten and the Shinto priest and shrine maiden chanted prayers. We then offered the prayer paper we had written the night before. At the end, we received a shrine amulet.
After breakfast, there was another morning worship starting at 8:30, so I attended it again. We sat in chairs lined up at the entrance to the main hall and prayed.
The morning air was cool and refreshing. After leaving the main hall, we spent some time gazing at the Seto Inland Sea in the distance.
We also enjoyed the shrine grounds by shaking a good luck mallet and strolling through the gardens.
Breakfast
The breakfast was a healthy Japanese meal. The menu consisted of rice, miso soup, seasoned seaweed, grilled salmon, fried egg, salad, pickled plum, pickled radish, kelp, dried daikon radish strips, grated daikon radish, banana, and kiwi fruit. It came with orange juice, a specialty of Ehime.
