Yaegaki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, deeply connected with the mythology of Izumo. Formerly known as Sakusa Shrine, it has been worshipped since ancient times and is counted among the Six Shrines of Iu. It is also the 14th temple of the Izumo Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Sites pilgrimage.
The shrine is particularly famous throughout Japan as a sacred place for love, marriage, and good relationships. It is associated with the legendary marriage of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-hime, and many visitors come here to pray for romantic fulfillment, marital harmony, and meaningful connections with others.
The origins of Yaegaki Shrine are closely connected with the famous Japanese myth of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and the Eight-Headed Serpent, Yamata-no-Orochi.
After descending from Takamagahara to the land of Izumo, Susanoo encountered an elderly couple and their daughter, Kushinada-hime, who were suffering because of the fearsome Yamata-no-Orochi. Susanoo defeated the serpent and saved Kushinada-hime.
According to legend, Susanoo then built a temporary palace surrounded by eight layers of protective fences in order to keep Kushinada-hime safe. He is said to have celebrated their happiness with the famous poem:
“Many clouds rise—at Izumo, I build eightfold fences to shelter my wife; oh, those eightfold fences.”
This story is said to have given the area the name “Yaegaki-no-Miya,” or the Palace of Eightfold Fences, and the site has long been regarded as one of the origins of the tradition of matchmaking and good relationships in Izumo.
The principal deities enshrined at Yaegaki Shrine are Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-hime-no-Mikoto. Their mythological union, bringing together heavenly and earthly deities, has come to symbolize not only romantic relationships but also the many connections between people.
Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and Aohata-Sakusa-Hiko-no-Mikoto are also enshrined here. The shrine is associated with a wide range of blessings, including family harmony, the prosperity of descendants, protection from misfortune, and the fulfillment of good relationships.
Deep within the Sakusame-no-Mori Forest at the rear of the shrine grounds lies Kagami-no-Ike, or Mirror Pond, one of Yaegaki Shrine’s most famous attractions.
According to legend, Kushinada-hime hid in this area and used the surface of the pond as a mirror to see her reflection. Today, the mysterious pond is widely known as a place where visitors can perform a traditional form of fortune-telling related to love and relationships.
To try the fortune-telling ritual, visitors place a 10-yen or 100-yen coin on a special fortune-telling paper and float it on the pond. The length of time it takes for the paper to sink, as well as the distance it travels, is traditionally interpreted as an indication of how soon a relationship may develop and how far away the person involved may be.
It is said that if the paper sinks quickly, a relationship may come soon, while a paper that floats farther away before sinking may indicate a connection with someone from a distant place.
There is also a local belief that seeing a newt cross the pond while performing the fortune-telling ritual is a particularly fortunate sign. The pond continues to attract many visitors hoping for love and meaningful relationships.
Several symbolic trees associated with relationships can be found around the shrine grounds, including Meoto Sugi, or Married Couple Cedars, and Renri-Tama Tsubaki, or Married Camellias.
The Renri-Tama Tsubaki is especially striking because two trunks join together partway up the tree. Its unusual form has made it a symbol of two people becoming one and enduring love.
Behind the main shrine buildings is the Okunomiya, or Inner Sanctuary, traditionally regarded as a sacred place where Kushinada-hime hid from danger. The area is surrounded by a tranquil forest and has a distinctly mysterious atmosphere.
The celebrated writer Lafcadio Hearn, who lived in Matsue during the Meiji period, described this forest as a “mysterious forest.” Walking among the trees provides a quiet opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the mythology associated with the shrine.
The shrine’s treasure repository houses the Colored Wooden Images of Deities, also known as the main sanctuary’s wooden wall paintings, which are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
They are regarded as among the oldest surviving examples of decorative wall paintings in Japanese shrine architecture. The painting depicting Kushinada-hime is particularly admired for its elegant expression and vivid colors, offering a valuable glimpse into the artistic traditions of earlier Japan.
The shrine’s main annual festival is held every year on October 20.
Another important event is the Mikakure Shinto Ceremony, held on May 3. During the ceremony, a portable shrine is carried from the main sanctuary to the Inner Sanctuary. According to local tradition, seeing this procession is believed to bring good fortune in relationships.
Yaegaki Shrine is located in a quiet, natural area south of central Matsue, surrounded by wooded hills. The shrine grounds can be explored at a leisurely pace, and a visit including worship and a walk around the grounds generally takes around 40 minutes.
Its combination of ancient mythology, tranquil nature, and continuing traditions of prayer makes it an appealing stop for travelers exploring Matsue and the wider Izumo region.
Yaegaki Shrine is a special place where ancient Izumo mythology and contemporary traditions of love and good relationships continue to coexist.
From the legendary story of Susanoo and Kushinada-hime to the mysterious waters of Kagami-no-Ike, every part of the shrine offers a glimpse into the spiritual traditions of Izumo.
A visit here provides more than an opportunity to see a historic shrine. Surrounded by sacred forests and stories passed down through generations, travelers can experience a quiet connection with the myths, nature, and traditions that continue to shape the cultural identity of Izumo.