Osaki Hachimangu Shrine Travel Guide

Known for its compelling black and gold architecture, Osaki Hachimangu Shrine is a national treasure. Visit the shrine on January 14 and experience the Dontosai Festival where you can see “hadaka-mairi” (the naked pilgrimage), an event where locals from the city march through the night in loincloths and pray to the shrine. Visitors can also participate by giving their respects at the temple, joining the bonfire ritual, and enjoying the food and games offered by locals at the shrine.

On any day, you can grab yourself a unique, blue daruma. Also known as Matsukawa Daruma, these dolls are painted with the landscape of Sendai. The vivid blue color represents the unity between the ocean and the sky. The shrine shows its support and pride when it comes to their sports teams and figure skating fans from across Japan visit the shrine as there is a special spot for Sendai’s figure skating Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu.