Leaving the hotel, we drive to Kairakuen 偕楽園, which is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, together with Kenrokuen 兼六園 in Kanazawa and Korakuen 後楽園 in Okayama. But before going to the garden, we first visit Tokiwa Shrine 常磐神社, outside the east gate of Kairakuen.
Tokiwa Shrine was founded in 1874. But before then, at Kairakuen, there was already a small shido, or hall of worship, that enshrined the two great feudal lords, Giko and Rekko. The old feudal retainers continued to pay their homage at this small shrine, and they petitioned that an official shrine worthy of the deities should be built.
In 1873, this was sanctioned by the Government, naming it Tokiwa Jinga. The shrine, in that year, was graded also as a National Shrine. Shortly after, a site of the official shrine buildings was chosen, and the construction started.
This project proved so popular for people, not only in Mito itself, but in all the outlying villages, with many making contributions in money, or in kind, or in labour. Thus, in the following year, the buildings had been constructed.
The Senzasai, or ceremony for removing the divine spirits from their temporary abode to the new shrine, was held. Nowadays, it is still commemorated annually as the Reisai, or annual festival.
After paying homage to the deities, I get the goshuin stamp of the shrine.
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