Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine｜A complete guide to the history, highlights, and worship information of this historic shrine dedicated to Ninomiya Sonotoku, located within Odawara Castle

Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine, quietly nestled in a corner of Odawara Castle Ruins Park, is a rare shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to O Ninomiya Sontoku, a great man of the late Edo period. Familiar to many for the image of Kinjiro Ninomiya reading while carrying firewood on his back, this sacred site, which conveys the life and thought of the great man, attracts many worshippers as a god of learning.

Outline and basic information about Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine

Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine is located in Jouchi, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is dedicated to O Ninomiya Sonotoku. Formerly a prefectural shrine, the shrine is now positioned as an attached shrine by the Jinja Honcho (Shinto Shrine Headquarters). Located on the historic site of Odawara Castle, the shrine continues to be loved not only by local residents but also by worshippers from all over Japan.

History and Origin

Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine was founded on April 15, 1894. After the death of Sontoku Ninomiya, an agriculturalist and thinker in the late Edo period, in 1856, there was a growing momentum to build the shrine in honor of his great achievements.

In 1891, when the fourth rank of cousin was conferred on Sontoku, a movement to build a shrine took shape among Houtoku employees, and a shrine was erected at the Odawara castle site in Odawara, the birthplace of Sontoku. Today, more than 130 years after its construction, the shrine continues to function as a spiritual pillar of the community, carrying on the spirit of the Houtoku philosophy.

The Houtoku-sha was an organization established by O. Sontoku for the rural relief and indoctrination movement, and its activities were centered in the Kanto and Tokai regions. The founding of the shrine reflects the strong feelings and dedication of these Houtoku employees, and it has developed into a place of cultural and educational significance that goes beyond a mere religious institution.

Deities and Benefits

The deities of Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine are the great warrior Sontoku Ninomiya. Born in 1787 in Kayayama Village, Ashigarakami-gun, Sagami Province (present-day Kayayama, Odawara City), Sontoku Ninomiya was a diligent and studious man from his childhood. He was known for his teaching, “Sekko to tame daishi,” or “small efforts add up to big results,” and devoted himself to the restoration of a devastated farming village and the rehabilitation of the clan’s finances.

Sotoku advocated the idea that working for the good of the world and the good of others will eventually return the benefits to one’s own self. This philosophy has universal value that can be applied to modern business management and community development, and continues to influence many people.

For this reason, Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine is believed to bring blessings such as academic success, prosperous business, family safety, and good fortune. The shrine is especially revered as a god of learning, and is often visited by students and students preparing for entrance exams. In addition, many business executives and members of society who seek success in business and guidance in life, following the practical way of life of the great saint, Sotoku Oyasama, also visit the shrine.

Highlights and Features of Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine

The grounds of Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine are dotted with numerous attractions that tell the story of the life and thought of O. Sontoku Ninomiya. The beautiful scenery that takes advantage of its location on the Odawara castle ruins and the harmony of buildings of high historical value are deeply moving to visitors.

Architectural and Structural Attractions

On the shrine’s main approach stands the magnificent Otorii (Grand Gate), erected in 2017 (Heisei 29) to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the shrine’s founding. This torii gate is a masterpiece that was completed over a period of about three years by craftsmen working with Odawara wood, using a 300-year-old giant cedar that is said to have been planted by the lord of Odawara Castle as the official timber. It is a symbolic structure that brings together the traditional skills and history of the region, and welcomes many visitors to the shrine.

The cornerstone of the worship hall has a special meaning. There is an anecdote that during the Great Famine of Tempo Era, Sotoku opened a rice warehouse in Odawara Castle by order of feudal lord Okubo and distributed rice to the people, so that not a single person died of starvation in the territory of Odawara of 110,000 koku. The cornerstone of the rice warehouse is used in the worship hall, and is a valuable remnant that conveys the spirit of Sotoku’s compassion and love.

A bronze statue of Kinjiro Ninomiya, donated in 1928 to commemorate the Emperor Showa’s accession to the throne, stands in the precincts of the shrine. The statue depicts him reading a book while walking with firewood on his back.

The Beauty of Nature and Scenery

The grounds of Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine boast an area of approximately 13,000 square meters (about 4,000 tsubo), surrounded on all sides by old cedars and old pine trees, preserving a tranquil and beautiful environment. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the grounds in each of the four seasons, especially during the plum and cherry blossom seasons in spring and the autumn foliage season in fall.

The location overlooking Odawara Castle to the northeast creates a special space where historical scenery and natural beauty are in harmony. The “Mori-no-hiroba” (forest plaza) on the grounds of the temple has a café with terrace seating surrounded by lush greenery, where visitors can take a stroll and enjoy a moment of relaxation surrounded by nature.

Taking advantage of its location in the castle ruins park, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the Odawara Castle keep, cherry blossoms, and shrine grounds during cherry blossom season. The view of the city of Odawara and Sagami Bay from the shrine grounds is also wonderful, and many visitors enjoy taking pictures.

Historic Sites and Exhibits Related to O. Ninomiya Sontoku

A statue of Sontoku Ninomiya, the deity of Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine, is located just inside the shrine grounds. The statue is a symbol of remembrance of the great deeds and character of Sontoku Ninomiya, and is a place where many worshippers lay their hands on the statue.

The Houtoku Museum is located in front of the shrine’s torii gate and houses a collection of valuable materials related to O Sontoku Ninomiya and Houtoku-sha. The museum exhibits the relics, documents, cultural assets, and other items of O Sontoku, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of his life and thought. The museum is a facility of high educational value, where visitors can learn about the methods of rural revitalization practiced by Sotoku and his management philosophy, which is still relevant today.

The museum also has stone monuments and explanatory boards on the grounds that convey the teachings of Sotoku, allowing visitors to learn about the philosophy of “Shotoku” while they visit the temple. In particular, his teaching of “small is great” has influenced many people as a concrete guideline that can be put into practice in daily life and at work.

Visiting and Worship Information

At Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine, it is important to pay respect to O Ninomiya Sontoku and worship with all your heart in the correct manner. There are also cafes and other facilities on the shrine grounds, where you can spend quality time together with your visit to the shrine.

Worship Etiquette and Manners

Visiting Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine is done in accordance with general shrine etiquette. First, bow as you pass through the Otorii (Grand Gate) on the Omote-sando (main approach), and avoid walking down the center of the approach. After purifying your hands and mouth at the hand- and mouth-watering booth, go to the hall of worship, pay the money offering, and pray in the manner of “ni-worship, two beats, one hand, one worship”.

Keep quiet and be considerate of other worshippers in the shrine. It is recommended that you visit the shrine with gratitude, remembering the spirit of “for the world and for others” as taught by O Sontoku Ninomiya.

There are valuable cultural assets on the temple grounds, including a bronze statue of Kinjiro Ninomiya and a statue of O Sontoku. Photography is allowed, but it is important to take care not to disturb other visitors and to always be aware of the sacred nature of the place.

Annual and Seasonal Events

Various festivals and events are held throughout the year at Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine. In particular, the Autumn Grand Festival is held on or around October 20, the anniversary of the death of O Shotoku, and many worshippers visit the shrine to commemorate his legacy.

On the third day of the New Year, the shrine is crowded with visitors for Hatsumode (New Year’s visit to the shrine), who come to pray for academic success and prosperous business. The temple grounds are also the site of New Year’s prayer services and other important annual events for the local community.

In spring, the plum and cherry trees on the grounds bloom beautifully, and many visitors enjoy viewing the blossoms along with the entire Odawara Joshi Park. The café on the shrine grounds also offers special seasonal menus, making it a shrine that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons.

Red Seal and Good Luck Charm Information

Visitors can obtain a beautiful red seal at Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine. The red seal is inscribed in black ink with the words “Odawara Castle Town” and “Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine,” with the word “Houtoku” circled and the seal “Sagamiguni Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine” stamped on the seal. The red seal fee starts at 1,000 yen, and red seal inscriptions are available from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

At the awarding office, good luck charms and ema (votive picture tablet) for academic achievement, prosperous business, and family safety are available. In particular, the amulet for academic success, named after Prince Ninomiya Sontoku, is very popular among students preparing for entrance exams and other student visitors.

There are two cafes on the grounds of the temple: Kinjirou Café and Odawara Citrus Club Café. At Kinjiro Café, visitors can enjoy authentic Italian coffee, “Kure-jiru,” which was eaten by Kinjiro during the Edo period, and “Kaiun Caramel Cappuccino” and “Kinjiro Soft,” which are popular on SNS. At Odawara Citrus Club Cafe, visitors can enjoy “Odawara Mikan/Kataura Lemon Squeeze” made from local citrus fruits and seasonal gelato.

Access/Use Information

Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine is accessible on foot from Odawara Station and is located in the blessed environment of Odawara Castle Site Park. It is conveniently accessible by public transportation and can be visited in conjunction with sightseeing.

Transportation Access

It takes about 15 minutes on foot from the East Exit of Odawara Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line, Tokaido Shinkansen, Odakyu Line, Hakone Tozan Railway, and Izu Hakone Railway Oyuzan Line. The most common route is through Odawara Joshi Park, where you can enjoy a stroll while looking at the Odawara Castle Keep from the side.

If accessing by car, it takes about 40 minutes from the Oi Matsuda Interchange on the Tomei Expressway or about 10 minutes from the Ogikubo Interchange on the Odawara-Atsugi Road. There are several parking lots around Odawara Joshi Park, which can be used in conjunction with sightseeing.

If using a bus, take the Uemaru-go (Odawara city circulation bus) from Odawara Station and get off at the Odawara Joshi Koen-mae bus stop. You can take the route from the Otorii (Grand Gate) on the Omote-sando (main approach) to the shrine grounds and visit the shrine following the formal manners of worship.

Address: 8-10 Jonouchi, Odawara-shi, Kanagawa 250-0014

Hours of Operation, Fees, and Parking Information

The Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine grounds are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the summer (April to September) and from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the winter (October to March). Please note that for security reasons, the shrine cannot be visited at night. Opening and closing hours are subject to change in case of inclement weather.

The awarding office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The same hours apply to the reception of red seals. Prayer reception hours (ascending prayer) are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:30 p.m.).

There is no charge to visit the shrine, but there are fees for red seals and various types of good luck charms. There is also an additional charge for the café on the grounds.

Free parking is available at the shrine’s parking lot, and there are also several pay parking lots in the vicinity of Odawara Joshi Park. Public transportation is recommended since the park can be crowded on weekends, holidays, and during the tourist season. If you plan to visit the park in conjunction with the Houtoku Museum, we recommend that you allow plenty of time for your visit.

Reference sites

Official website of Houtoku Ninomiya Shrine: https://www.ninomiya.or.jp/