Muslim Friendly Japan
Towada Shrine

Towada Shrine

十和田神社

Towada Shrine is one of the best-known shrines in northern Tohoku. It stands on the Nakayama Peninsula, which reaches out into Lake Towada, inside Towada-Hachimantai National Park. One story says it was built in 807 by the military commander Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. Another local legend tells of a monk who defeated a giant serpent and became a guardian of the lake.

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Visitor information

Getting there

Located at Yasumiya on the shore of Lake Towada, Towada City.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

  • The shrine stands on the Nakayama Peninsula, which sticks out into Lake Towada.
  • According to one account, the shrine was built in 807 by the military commander Sakanoue no Tamuramaro.
  • In the Meiji era, the government ordered temples and shrines to be separated, and the monk Nansobo's remains were moved to a small shrine in the grounds.

Tips for Muslim visitors

  • The main shrine and worship hall are reached by going up a flight of stairs.
  • The iron ladder down the cliff behind the shrine to the fortune-telling site is currently closed.
  • Shinto shrines are open to everyone. Bowing, clapping and washing at the purification basin are optional; you can simply look around.
  • Shrines are usually busiest at New Year and during festivals. Early morning is often the calmest time to visit.
  • Charms, fortune slips and votive tablets are religious items. You do not need to buy or use them.
  • Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Aomori and the verified places to pray nearby.
  • Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.

Prayer times in Aomori

Today (5 Nov 2026)

  1. Fajr04:28
  2. Sunrise06:12
  3. Dhuhr11:23
  4. Asr14:06
  5. Maghrib16:29
  6. Isha18:02

Times are calculated for Aomori City. Times may differ elsewhere in Aomori.

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Places to pray near Towada Shrine

We have not verified a place to pray near here yet. Many large stations, airports and department stores in Japan have prayer rooms.

How to find a place to pray in Japan →

Halal food near Towada Shrine

We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:

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Map

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Photo: らんで, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): mlit.go.jp, tohokukanko.jp, aomori-tourism.com