The east and west sides of Tadami Station have completely different vibes. The west side is filled with nature. Apart from the Tadami Sky Resort (只見スキー場), the main reason people venture out of the town center is Mitsuishi Shrine (三石神社) and hiking. The shrine buried in a low mountain near the station is where you can perform an interesting ritual to pray for good relationships!
If you have been to Morioka, you might wonder if the Mitsuishi Shrine in Tadami is related to the Mitsuishi Shrine (三ツ石神社) in Morioka. The answer is no; they aren’t related. The head shrine of the Mitsuishi Shrine in Tadami Town, erected in the late 12th century, is the Shirayamahime Shrine (白山比咩神社) in Ishikawa Prefecture.
The Three Sacred Rocks at Mitsuishi Shrine
Mitsuishi Shrine, located halfway up Mt. Yōgai (要害山) at an altitude of approximately 700 meters, also has three large rocks. But instead of finding the demon’s handprint on the rocks, you can get blessings from the rocks in Tadami’s Mitsuishi Shrine.
From Mitsuishi Shrine’s torii gate, the first rock you will encounter is called Hitotsu no Iwa (一の岩). The locals put their heads in the hole in the rock close to the ground to pray to become smarter and for the health of their heads.
The road splits shortly after passing Hitotsu no Iwa. The road to the left leads to the second large rock in the precinct. It is called Namida-iwa (泪岩/涙岩) because water seeps out from the rock and looks like tears. If you apply the water seeped from the rock to your eyes, it is said that eye diseases will be cured.
Tip: Around a 6-minute walk from the shrine’s torii gate, there is a water fountain (縁結び 三石清水). The water here was chosen as one of Tadami’s top 10 spring water (只見の銘水10選). So, fill your water bottle and enjoy the delicious natural spring water!
Mitsuishi Shrine’s worship hall is built underneath the last rock with many small holes. From Hitotsu no Iwa, head right when the road splits. It is said that if you tie a 5-yen coin through a hole in the rock with your thumb and little finger, you will be blessed with a good relationship. Thus, this rock is called Enmusubi-iwa (縁結び岩).
Tip: If you don’t have a thread to tie the 5-yen coin, stop by Tadamimachi Information Center. You might be able to get a koyori thread (こより) for free there.
How to Get to Mitsuishi Shrine
- A return trip on the promenade from Tadami Station (只見駅) to Mitsuishi Shrine takes 40 to 60 minutes.
Wearing a pair of sneakers is highly recommended, as you will be walking on an earthen road.
Discover Other Attractions in Tadami Town
Located in the second half of the Tadami Line, Tadami Town makes a great place to spend a night after exploring the scenic spots along Japan’s most picturesque local train line. In addition to Mitsuishi Shrine, there are a couple more spots that you can check out in the peaceful, rural town.
For more information, refer to our article on Tadami!
Explore the Stunning Scenery Along the Tadami Line
Tadami Station is on the second half of Japan’s most stunning train line, the Tadami Line. From the local train’s window, which runs through the mountains, breathtaking natural views unfold one after another throughout the year. Several tourist spots worth checking out are also dotted along the Tadami Line, enriching your visit to Japan’s rural towns.
So, refer to our Tadami Line article for more information on expanding your itinerary to include a couple of scenic spots!
