✨ “Where Myth Meets Maple: A Serene Day at Hitachi no Kuni Izumo Shrine”

#asiabudgetchallenge
Rediscover tranquility in one of Ibaraki’s most spiritual spots, far from the tourist buzz.

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🏯 About the Shrine

Hitachi no Kuni Izumo Taisha (常陸国出雲大社) is a majestic shrine modeled after the famous Izumo Taisha in Shimane. Though lesser-known, it’s incredibly picturesque, with a massive shimenawa rope, sacred torii gates, and peaceful forest surroundings that feel straight out of a Ghibli film.

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💡 Pro Tips for Visiting
• Timing: Visit in the morning before 10 AM to enjoy the serenity before the local crowds arrive. If it’s autumn (late Oct–early Dec), the foliage makes it extra photogenic.
• Camera Ready: Bring a camera or phone with wide-angle capability — the huge shimenawa is worth a dramatic shot.
• Local Charm: After exploring the shrine, stop by the nearby Hitachi-no-kuni Fudoki no Oka, a small open-air museum park with burial mounds and reconstructions of ancient dwellings.
• Mind the Etiquette: When entering the shrine, bow once before the torii gate, wash your hands, and when offering a prayer, follow the standard practice: two bows, two claps, one bow.
• Stamp it! Get your Goshuin (shrine stamp) if you’re collecting. Their calligraphy is stunning.

Transportation (from Mito Station via bus or rental car)
¥800–¥2,000
Shrine donation/offering
¥100–¥500
Goshuin (if collecting)
¥300–¥500
Local snacks or souvenirs
¥500–¥1,000
Light lunch nearby
¥1,000–¥1,500
Total
¥2,700 – ¥5,500 (~RM85–RM170)