“Kumano Taisha,” located in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a popular power spot known for its blessings in matchmaking. This historic shrine, often called the “Ise of Tohoku,” quietly soothes the hearts of visitors. In particular, during summer, the sounds of flower-decorated water basins and wind chimes in the shrine grounds create a refreshing atmosphere, making it feel as if you’ve wandered into a fantastical world. Furthermore, did you know about the legend that if you find all three hidden rabbits behind the main hall, your wish will come true?

This time, we introduce the charms of Kumano Taisha as a heartwarming “journey to seek connections.”

What is Kumano Taisha? History and Attractions

Kumano Taisha is a shrine with a history of over 1,200 years, affectionately known as the “Ise Shrine of Tohoku.”
In addition to being known for blessings related to matchmaking, it has welcomed the wishes of many people for protection from misfortune and prosperity in business.
The serene atmosphere surrounding the shrine and the deep scent of the trees gently calm the hearts of visitors.

The Reason It Is Called the “Ise Shrine of Tohoku”

Looking up at the majestic thatched roof, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe that naturally straightens your back. At the same time, there is a warmth that evokes a sense of nostalgia, unique to this shrine.

Kumano Taisha has been a sacred site in the Tohoku region, inheriting the “Kumano faith” from the Kumano Sanzan in Kii Province, and has attracted deep devotion since the Heian period. Due to its dignity and beauty, it is referred to as the “Ise of Tohoku,” and even today, many worshippers visit from all over the country.

Restoration linked to Kanetsugu Naoe and 1,200 years of history

The shrine’s founding dates back to ancient times and is said to have been rebuilt during the era of Emperor Heijō, in the first year of Daidō (806). During the Sengoku period, it is also known that the famous general Naoe Kanetsugu undertook its restoration, showing that it has been carefully preserved through the ages. Even after many years, Kumano Taisha remains unchanged, gently welcoming visitors. Its presence conveys a sense of the prayers that have been passed down through a thousand years.

The sacred dance said to be the oldest in Japan, “Daidai Kagura”

At Kumano Taisha, the ancient ritual dance “Daidai Kagura” has been cherished and handed down through generations. This kagura is an extremely precious dance, said to be passed down only at Ise Grand Shrine and Kumano Taisha across the country. The form of prayer that has continued since ancient times quietly lives on in the present day.

The sight of dancers moving to the sounds of flutes and drums, as if offering prayers to the gods, has a fantastical beauty that seems to stop time. Watching this solemn dance, one naturally straightens their posture and feels a sense of tranquility spreading deep within the heart.

The Daidai Kagura is performed only during rare, special occasions. If you’re lucky, you might actually get to see the dance in person.

• Great Exorcism Festival & Sakura Pilgrimage (January to the end of March)
• Summer Grand Festival (July 24th & 25th)
• Autumn Pilgrimage (mid-October to early November)

Also, even outside of these periods, it may be possible to make offerings if you make a reservation in advance for prayers. It is also recommended to experience such traditional events according to your travel schedule. Surely, it will be a time when you can feel the long history and deep faith of Kumano Taisha firsthand.

What are the benefits of Kumano Taisha besides matchmaking?

Kumano Taisha is famous as a “god of matchmaking,” but its benefits do not end there. It has long been revered as a shrine that fulfills all kinds of life wishes. Harmony in the family, safe childbirth, protection from misfortune, fulfillment of heart’s desires—. It is a place that gently supports the prayers for milestones in people’s lives and their everyday wishes. Beyond bringing people together, it is also cherished by many worshippers as a “god who protects and nurtures existing relationships.”
One of the charms of Kumano Taisha is that every time you visit—whether to mark a season or a milestone in life—you are greeted with a different atmosphere. It’s a shrine that makes you want to return again and again to experience these changes.

Must-See Spots at Kumano Taisha in Summer

In summer, Kumano Taisha feels like a sacred place wrapped in cool, refreshing light. There are experiences to enjoy with all your senses, such as the flower-decorated purification fountains and the “Mizu Mikuji” (water fortune slips) that float on the water.

During the “Kanade no Kitō-sai” held from June to September, countless wind chimes are lined up throughout the shrine grounds, transforming the “Kazahana Komichi” (Wind Flower Path) into a magical space. The sound of the wind chimes swaying in the summer sun feels like a small gift from the gods.

Furthermore, there are new discoveries to be made each time you visit, such as searching for the “Three Rabbits” hidden behind the main hall, and seasonal goshuin stamps and charms available only at this time of year.
See, hear, feel――at Kumano Taisha in the summer, a quiet, soothing time flows through the heart.

Refreshing Colors Reflected in Flower Water — A Moment of Relaxation at Kumano Taisha in Summer

Passing through the torii gate and climbing the stone steps, you arrive at the “Chōzuya” of Kumano Taisha. Delicately floating on the clear water surface are flowers that change with the seasons, creating a scene so beautiful it looks like a painting.

On the summer day I visited, white and green flowers swayed gently, and the sunlight sparkling on the water quietly prepared my mind for the worship ahead.

After purifying my hands, rinsing my mouth, and lifting my gaze, the main hall with its thatched roof stood calmly before me. In that moment, I felt as if it quietly said, “Welcome,” and all the heat and fatigue seemed to melt away.

The beauty of flower-filled purification basins, the rustling of the trees, and the somehow nostalgic sound of the wind. All of it comes together in harmony, gently soothing the hearts of those who visit.
It’s a place where a calm, peaceful time flows, perfect for starting a trip.

Making a wish upon the letters floating on the water — Kumano Taisha’s “Mizu Mikuji”

One of the most popular experiences at Kumano Taisha is the summer-only ‘Mizu-mikuji’ (water fortune). Unlike regular omikuji, if you gently float the paper you draw on the sacred water in the shrine grounds, the characters revealing your fortune softly appear on the clear water.

The sight is like magic. As you gaze at the characters reflected on the calm water, the sound of wind chimes and the sunlight filtering through the trees blend together, making you feel time slowing down.

Of course, the result of the Mizu-mikuji is meaningful, but the very moment of entrusting it to the water is a healing experience that soothes the heart. While focusing your wishes on the characters that appear, try quietly making a single wish in your heart.

Transparent water, soft light, and words of prayer. The “Mizu Omikuji” at Kumano Taisha is a special fortune that lets you enjoy both a beauty you’ll want to capture in photos and a calmness that soothes the heart.

The Path of Coolness Played by Wind Chimes: “Kazahana Komichi”

If you visit Kumano Taisha in the summer, a path you definitely want to walk through is the “Kazahana Komichi” (Wind Flower Path). During the “Kanade Prayer Festival” held from June to September, countless wind chimes line the approach, welcoming visitors with their pleasant tones.
A cool mist rises from the ground, and combined with the clear sounds of the wind chimes, a refreshing atmosphere drifts through, making you forget the summer heat.

The glass wind chimes swaying in the sunlight look like specks of light, gently chiming with every breeze. Each moment feels almost like a prayer, making you instinctively stop and listen closely.

Sunlight filtering through the trees, the sound of wind chimes, and a mist that drifts lightly like fog—all of these come together in harmony to create a magical space that can only be experienced here. It’s a summer tradition unique to Kumano Taisha that you’ll want to not only capture in photos but also stop and savor with all your senses.

Entrusting Your Wishes to the “Three Rabbits” – A Hidden Lucky Spot at Kumano Taisha

As you proceed through the grounds of Kumano Taisha and pass through the “Kazahana Komichi” path, behind the main hall there is a hidden ‘secret’ that visitors can’t help but stop and gaze at—it is the carving of the “Three Rabbits.”

These rabbits are not mere decorations. They are a unique charm of Kumano Taisha, said to grant your wishes if you can find all of them. The three rabbits are cleverly hidden within the carvings, and finding each one is no simple task—it’s like playing hide-and-seek with the gods.

You can first try to find them on your own, but if it’s too difficult, the shrine office can give you hints for two of the rabbits, so it’s okay to start there. However, for the final rabbit, you’ll need to rely on your own eyes and intuition. The sense of accomplishment when you find it is extraordinary, almost as if one of your wishes has come a step closer.

However, there is an unspoken rule that you must not tell anyone the location of the last rabbit. It is said that if you do, your wish will not come true, so if you find it, keep it to yourself quietly.

In reality, I was staring quite seriously at the main hall while trying to find the three rabbits, but since the building itself is historic, the carvings seemed a bit weathered (a lady nearby told me this).
Those who can find them smoothly are surely lucky.

As for the author… well, I feel like I might have found one rabbit that made me think, ‘Oh, could it be?’ but I’m not entirely sure… it ended with such an ambiguous result. (Maybe I should have gotten a hint from the shrine office from the start!)

This “rabbit hunt” is an especially exciting activity for a trip. The time spent searching while chatting with friends about “Where could it be?” is fun, and when you finally find one, it can bring bursts of cheer.
Of course, it’s also recommended to take a commemorative photo with the photogenic main shrine as the backdrop.

Surrounded by the tranquility and mystery of Kumano Taisha, searching for the rabbit while making a wish — such a moment makes your travel memories even deeper and more special.

We offer a variety of amulets and goshuin, including a “summer-limited goshuin” featuring wind chimes

The goshuin featuring brightly colored wind chimes is a summer tradition of Kumano Taisha. It’s a perfect keepsake for a trip.

As more people are collecting goshuin, Kumano Taisha offers not only the regular goshuin but also seasonal limited editions. Among them, the “Kanade Goshuin,” available only during the summer from June to the end of September, depicts vibrant wind chimes and has a refreshing design. The moment you see it, it feels as if you can hear the sound of the wind chimes, filling you with a sense of coolness.

The wind chime motif is also said to carry the meaning of sending your wishes on the wind, making it a perfect souvenir for a trip along with the blessings for matchmaking.

This goshuin, with its illustration of greenery within the shrine grounds and wind chimes, is perfectly Instagram-worthy. You can gently slip it into your goshuin book as a record of your journey, and if you post it on social media, people will definitely ask, ‘Where did you get that?’

There are also various other charms available, allowing you to choose according to your wishes, such as for love fulfillment or good luck.

This season, when the tranquility of Kumano Taisha overlaps with the refreshing image of wind chimes, is perfect for a journey that soothes the heart.

After visiting the shrine, why not take a little break? Cafés & sweets you definitely want to stop by

Around Kumano Taisha, there are attractive spots scattered about, such as shops with a calm atmosphere renovated from old private houses, and cafes where you can enjoy sweets made with local fruits. We will introduce some places where you can enjoy a leisurely time.

“Ichou Cafe,” which stands under the sacred tree of the shrine and is particular about using local ingredients

If you want to take a break after your visit, why not stop by “ichou cafe” located within the grounds of Kumano Taisha?

They offer a variety of treats, from shaved ice made with homemade syrup without artificial sweeteners or additives, to the “Frozen Cherry Parfait” made with cherries from Nanyo, a dry curry made with honey from Nanyo, and a unique item, “Local Sake Three Rabbits Jelly” made with Daiginjo sake ‘Three Rabbits’ from Higashi no Fumoto (please refrain from consuming if you are driving or giving it to children, as it contains alcohol). The appeal is that they use local ingredients for all of their menu items!

(The curry, which includes well-simmered vegetables and ground meat and is based on honey from Itagaki Beekeeping Farm locally, was very easy to eat! For those who prefer it spicier, Tabasco is provided.)

Also recommended! “Gelato En” located along the approach to Kumano Taisha

Gelato en at Kumano Taisha

“Gelato En.”, located along the approach to Kumano Taisha Shrine, is the perfect sweet spot for a little rest after visiting the shrine. Surrounded by the quiet and greenery of the shrine, you can enjoy carefully crafted sweets made with fruits and vegetables from Yamagata Prefecture.

At “Gelato En.”, the gelato changes with the seasons and is very popular. In spring, there’s strawberry; in summer, cherry and blueberry; and in autumn, pear, among other seasonal flavors, making it delightful to visit at different times of the year. One unique offering is gelato made with rice (Tsuyahime)!
The gelato, which makes the most of the natural flavors of the ingredients, is colorful and perfect for Instagram photos. It’s also recommended to take pictures and share them as a memento of a trip.

Fluffy, Delicious, and Gentle-Tasting Donut Stand “maaru”

Also located along the approach to the shrine, the ‘Donut Stand maaru’ blends whole wheat from Hokkaido with Yamagata-grown wheat ‘Yukichikara’, and fries them in rice oil. The donuts have a fluffy texture and are topped with locally sourced ingredients, making both their appearance and taste uniquely distinctive. They are also popular with families with children, and it’s great to take them to-go and enjoy them leisurely on a bench in the shrine grounds.

Both shops are characterized by their use of local ingredients, and the sweets, which allow you to feel the changing seasons as you enjoy them, make your travel memories even more vivid. (Since they may also participate in events, please check their official Instagram, etc., when visiting either store.)

This place, where the sacred atmosphere of the shrine blends with the blessings of the local area, is truly a spot for “healing and discovery.”

Basic Information and Access/Parking for Kumano Taisha

① P1 and P2 parking lots across from Shōjōden near Kumano Taisha
② P3 parking lots on both sides after entering the large torii at the entrance to the approach
*Normally, the above parking lots should be sufficient, but during busy times such as New Year’s visits, traffic restrictions may be implemented, and temporary parking lots may be set up, so please check (for example, on the official website) before you go.

Summary

Kumano Taisha in summer is truly a treasure trove for “Instagram-worthy trips”! From the colorful flower-filled water basins and the sound of wind chimes to the refreshing mists and sweets and gelato made with local ingredients, there are plenty of moments you’ll want to capture in photos.
If you’re visiting on a day trip, now is the best season. Let’s set out on a journey to enjoy the summer of Yamagata with all five senses!