What Is Kinomiya Shrine? Atami’s Shrine of Good Fortune and Auspicious Beginnings
Kinomiya Shrine (Kinomiya Jinja), long known as Kinomiya Daimyōjin, has been worshiped as the tutelary deity of the Atami area.
By visiting the main sanctuary and then continuing on to the nationally designated Natural Monument, the Great Camphor Tree, you can encounter both prayer centered on the shrine buildings and the worship of trees, in which a giant tree is revered as a sacred vessel for the divine.
The Kinomiya Faith, Once Written with the Characters for “Tree Shrine”
Until the late Edo period, the shrine was called Kinomiya Myōjin, and tradition says that old documents wrote its name with the characters meaning “tree shrine” rather than those now used for “Kinomiya.”
Kinomiya shrines in the Izu region often have sacred trees associated with longevity, carrying forward faith rooted in gratitude for the trees essential to everyday life.
Kinomiya Shrine attracts worshipers as the head shrine of 44 Kinomiya shrines across Japan.
When you consider the shrine’s written name alongside the Great Camphor Tree, the grounds evoke an ancient form of ritual prayer offered before objects of nature.
Atami’s Tutelary Deity, Protecting Travelers Too
A tradition tells that when the deity Itakeru no Mikoto settled here, he declared that he would protect both the local people and travelers who visited the area.
Travelers to this hot-spring destination visit not only to pray for good fortune and auspicious beginnings, but also to seek protection before entering the land.
| Perspective | What to See on the Grounds | Clue to the Faith |
|---|---|---|
| Tutelary deity | Main sanctuary | Protection of Atami |
| Tree worship | Great Camphor Tree | Vessel for the divine |
| Prayer for journeys | Approach | Good fortune and auspicious beginnings |
| Reverence for nature | Sacred grove | Gratitude for trees |
Kinomiya Shrine’s History and Its 3 Enshrined Deities
The main sanctuary enshrines Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, Itakeru no Mikoto, and Ōnamuchi no Mikoto, each associated with different divine virtues and ties to the land.
Rather than simply memorizing their names, it is easier to understand them by connecting their roles—valor, trees, and the abundance of the land—with the scenery of the shrine grounds.
Itakeru no Mikoto, Deity of Trees and Nature Conservation
Itakeru no Mikoto is a son of Susanoo no Mikoto and is regarded as the deity who brought tree species back to Japan and planted them across the country.
Tradition says that in 710 (Wadō 3), what appeared to be a wooden divine image was caught in a net in Atami Bay, followed by an oracle directing that it be enshrined at Nishiyama, where a hollow camphor tree stood.
Worshiping the deity of trees on grounds where the Great Camphor Tree is itself sacred directly connects the shrine’s history with the nature before your eyes.
Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, Deity of Valor and Resolve
Yamato Takeru no Mikoto is said to have come to this area during his eastern campaign and to have been enshrined in recognition of his military achievements, his care for residents, and his encouragement of local industry.
The story of a deity who became connected with the land while traveling helps explain why Kinomiya Shrine has long been revered not only by residents but also by people passing through.
Ōnamuchi no Mikoto, Deity of Business Prosperity and Physical Strength
Ōnamuchi no Mikoto, also known as Ōkuninushi no Mikoto, is said to have loved and settled in Atami’s environment, blessed with sea, mountains, and hot springs.
By worshiping the 3 deities not merely for separate blessings but as gods protecting nature, daily life, and journeys, you can see their connection with the land of Atami.
| Enshrined Deity | Traditional Divine Virtues | Connection to the Grounds |
|---|---|---|
| Yamato Takeru no Mikoto | Valor and resolve | Tradition of the eastern campaign |
| Itakeru no Mikoto | Trees and nature conservation | Great Camphor Tree and tree worship |
| Ōnamuchi no Mikoto | Business prosperity and physical strength | Land of sea, mountains, and hot springs |
Encounter the Nationally Designated Great Camphor Tree
Standing behind and to the left of the main sanctuary, the Great Camphor Tree is Kinomiya Shrine’s sacred tree and is said to be more than 2100 years old.
Rather than seeing this giant tree, with a trunk circumference of about 24 m, only as a set of impressive numbers, observe how its roots, trunk burls, hollows, branches, and leaves support a single life.
Receive the Legend of Longevity as an Act of Worship
Legend says that walking 1 circuit around the Great Camphor Tree extends your life by 1 year, and that circling it 1 circuit while keeping a wish in your heart will make that wish come true.
Walking around the tree is not a recreational lap, but part of worship: joining your hands before the sacred tree and quietly reflecting on your wishes and the way you live.
Follow posted guidance and the flow of people around you to avoid confusion caused by overtaking others or walking against the direction of movement.
See the Cycle of Life in Its Evergreen Leaves
The camphor is an evergreen tree whose old leaves fall as new ones grow, and the shrine describes it as a symbol of flourishing descendants and the enduring prosperity of the nation.
Look not only at the immense trunk but also at each season’s new and falling leaves, and longevity begins to feel less like time standing still and more like a cycle connecting generations.
Keep a Respectful Distance to Protect the Sacred Tree
View and worship the tree from the maintained path without touching its bark or roots or crossing into restricted areas.
When taking photos, do not interrupt others in prayer or remain in front of the roots for too long; this is basic etiquette that respects both the giant tree and the people around it.
Route Through the Grounds: From the Torii Gate to the Main Sanctuary and Great Camphor Tree
The shrine grounds are arranged so that your gaze and movement deepen as you proceed from the torii gate to the purification pavilion, main sanctuary, and Great Camphor Tree.
Instead of heading straight to the giant tree, walk from the entrance in order and you will naturally understand that the sacred tree is connected with prayer at the main sanctuary.
Notice the Purification Pavilion and Second Great Camphor Tree
After passing through the torii gate, you will find the purification pavilion on the left. Across the approach stands the Second Great Camphor Tree, with Mitsumine Shrine beyond it.
Although a lightning strike destroyed much of the inside of its trunk, the Second Great Camphor Tree still displays a lush canopy of green leaves.
Rather than isolating the First Great Camphor Tree as the only famous attraction, compare the different forms of life revealed by the 2 camphor trees.
Worship Carefully at the Main Sanctuary and Auxiliary Shrines
Continue beyond the purification pavilion, passing the sacred water and stairs to reach the main sanctuary; the Great Camphor Tree stands behind and to the left as you face the sanctuary.
Kinomiya Inari Myōjin and Mitsumine Shrine are also enshrined within the grounds, so check their locations on the map and visit without obstructing the flow of worshipers.
| Order | Main Place | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torii gate | Bow before entering |
| 2 | Purification pavilion | Check the usage guidance |
| 3 | Main sanctuary | Worship the 3 deities |
| 4 | Great Camphor Tree | Walk around quietly |
Kinomiya Shrine Worship Etiquette and How to Spend Your Visit
Even with its popular giant tree and tearoom, the shrine grounds are first and foremost a sacred place for offering gratitude and prayers to the deities.
When enjoying photography, a rest, or food and drink, give priority to rituals, prayer services, and individual worship.
Move Quietly at the Torii Gate and Along the Approach
Follow general shrine etiquette: bow before the torii gate, avoid the center of the approach, and refrain from wearing a hat or speaking loudly before the deities.
Because formal procedures and photography restrictions may change with events or conditions on the grounds, give priority to posted notices and instructions from shrine staff.
On busy days such as the annual grand festival, you may not be able to move around the grounds at the same pace as on an ordinary day.
Use the Tearoom for a Rest After Worship
The Sanshūden gathering hall houses the Hōko tearoom, which offers products inspired by mugikogashi roasted barley flour presented before the deities and Atami’s daidai bitter oranges.
Stay within the permitted dining areas, leave no containers or trash on the grounds, and maintain the calm appropriate to a sacred place after your break.
Check Access and Prayer Reception Hours
Kinomiya Shrine is located at 43-1 Nishiyama-chō, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, and the nearest station is Kinomiya Station on the JR Itō Line.
You can also travel from Atami Station by bus, taxi, or on foot, but choose a method suited to your health and luggage while allowing for hills and congestion.
Plan Around Public Transportation
Public transportation is recommended because the surrounding area can become crowded and parking capacity is limited.
Before departing, check the route from Kinomiya Station, bus times from Atami Station, and connections for your return journey, and allow extra time on festival days and during busy tourism periods.
If you drive, parking is paid, and when the lot is full you may need to use a nearby municipal parking facility.
Prepare for Prayer Reception and the Stairs
Reception hours are from 9 to 17, and prayer services are available until 16:30.
If you would like a goshuin seal, shrine amulet, or prayer service, check reception information for any changes caused by ceremonies or congestion.
There are stairs on the way to the main sanctuary, and a detour is also indicated; wheelchair users and anyone concerned about their footing should consult the attendants in front of the torii gate.
Summary: Connect the Great Camphor Tree with Atami’s Prayers at Kinomiya Shrine
At Kinomiya Shrine, the main sanctuary dedicated to 3 deities and the Great Camphor Tree, said to be more than 2100 years old, reveal both faith in Atami’s tutelary deity and a culture that reveres trees.
Proceeding in order from the torii gate to the purification pavilion, main sanctuary, and Great Camphor Tree—and keeping enough distance to protect both worshipers and the roots around the giant tree—is the foundation for receiving its legends as an act of worship.
Before leaving, check transportation, prayer reception, and crowd conditions on the grounds, then approach this shrine that protects the land and travelers with a quiet heart.
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