Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I’m sharing my visit to Kasama Inari Shrine, where we stopped after shopping for chestnuts at Roadside Station Kasama.
A peaceful walk through the rainy shrine grounds, an adorable chestnut-shaped fortune, lunch, and a sweet drink nearby♪
We came for chestnuts—and ended up enjoying a full day in Kasama! 😊
- Through the Torii Gate on a Rainy Day
- Fox Fortunes Are Cute… But Today, It Has to Be a Chestnut!
- A Sacred Walnut Tree, Wisteria, and Sacred Horses
- Little Foxes and Chestnuts Gather Around a Guardian Statue
- Lunch at the Charming Kasama Tsutaya
- A Hidden Discovery Behind a Local Sake Shop
- Mandarin Orange Amazake with a Shrine View
- Next Time, I’m Coming for the Chrysanthemum Festival!
- Through the Torii Gate on a Rainy Day
- Fox Fortunes Are Cute… But Today, It Has to Be a Chestnut!
- A Sacred Walnut Tree, Wisteria, and Sacred Horses
- Little Foxes and Chestnuts Gather Around a Guardian Statue
- Lunch at the Charming Kasama Tsutaya
- A Hidden Discovery Behind a Local Sake Shop
- Mandarin Orange Amazake with a Shrine View
- Next Time, I’m Coming for the Chrysanthemum Festival!
Through the Torii Gate on a Rainy Day
Beyond the impressive torii gate, shops line both sides of the shrine approach.
Many were closed when we visited, so it felt rather quiet. Perhaps the rain made it feel even quieter?
First, we cleansed our hands at the purification fountain before heading farther into the grounds.
There was also a large sazare-ishi, a rock formed from small stones naturally cemented together. It was impressive enough to make me stop for a closer look.
The shrine building looked beautiful in the rain, with a calm, atmospheric feel.
We checked the worship instructions, placed our offerings in the box, and paid our respects.
Fox Fortunes Are Cute… But Today, It Has to Be a Chestnut!
After our prayers, we browsed the omikuji, the paper fortunes available at Japanese shrines.
The little fox-shaped fortune holders were adorable! But then I spotted something else…
Chestnut-shaped fortunes! 🌰
We had come all the way to Kasama to buy chestnuts. Surely this was the one for me! 😆
My result was chūkichi—moderate good fortune!
Not bad! I’ll take the advice to heart and move forward with a little caution. 😊
Enthusiastic when choosing chestnuts, careful when making life choices!
A Sacred Walnut Tree, Wisteria, and Sacred Horses
The grounds are home to a sacred walnut tree.
I also found an impressive wisteria trellis. It must look lovely when the flowers are in bloom!
The wisteria here usually blooms in early May. Now I have a reason to come back in spring, too.ibarakiguide.jp
We stopped to see the shinme, the shrine’s sacred horse statues.
Since 2026 is the Year of the Horse, I had to take a commemorative photo.
Little Foxes and Chestnuts Gather Around a Guardian Statue
On our way back along the shrine approach, something caught my eye.
Little fox and chestnut figurines were gathered all around a komainu, one of the shrine’s guardian statues!
What a charming little gathering. 😊
For a moment, I considered letting my chestnut join them…But it was too cute to leave behind.
This little chestnut was coming home with me! 🌰
Another lovely reminder of our day in Kasama.
Lunch at the Charming Kasama Tsutaya
After our shrine visit, it was time for lunch!
We ate at Kasama Tsutaya, a restaurant with a lovely traditional atmosphere.
With lunch finished, the next question was dessert.
No hesitation about our priorities here! 😆
A Hidden Discovery Behind a Local Sake Shop
As we walked around after lunch, we discovered an inviting space tucked behind a local sake shop.
A sign advertising a “Legendary Special Set Meal” immediately caught my attention.
That sounds tempting! I wanted to try that, too!
We had only just finished lunch, and I was already finding somewhere for the next one. 🤣
There was also a sake brewery display inside, adding a little exploring to our stroll.
Then we spotted a sign for Waguriya.
Waguriya Inishie is housed in a historic storehouse on the premises of Sasame Sōbē Shōten, opposite Kasama Inari Shrine.waguriya ページ！
Mandarin Orange Amazake with a Shrine View
This time, I chose mandarin orange amazake. 🍊
Amazake is a traditional sweet Japanese rice drink, and this version had a citrus twist.
My impression of the flavor? Amazake with just a little mandarin orange juice.
It was sweet! Definitely a drink for those with a sweet tooth. 😊
During our break, I spotted a praying mantis near my feet.
Worried that someone might step on it, I told a staff member. They caught it and tossed it outside…
But that’s the road! 💦
I had been hoping it would be released into the garden. I couldn’t help worrying about that little mantis afterward.
Next Time, I’m Coming for the Chrysanthemum Festival!
A poster for the Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival caught my eye.
The festival usually takes place from late October to late November, with Kasama Inari Shrine as its main venue.city.kasama.lg.jp
This time, we enjoyed a quiet visit in the rain. But I’d love to see the shrine grounds filled with colorful chrysanthemums!
Next time, I’ll aim for chrysanthemum season. 😊
Chestnut shopping, a shrine visit, and delicious food…
Kasama is far too lovely to leave after just a shopping stop! 🌰
You can also read about our visit to Roadside Station Kasama and my first attempts at cooking with chestnuts♪
🔗🔗 Related post: Roadside Station Kasama— A Chestnut Lover’s Autumn Adventure!
The journey continues… Wishing you wonderful travels too!
＊＊Tabijun＊＊
