By ando 
Tamatsukuri-yu Jinja, enveloped in a mysterious atmosphere, is enshrined at the innermost part of Tamatsukuri Onsen in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, known as Japan’s oldest hot spring for beautiful skin. This is not merely a guardian kami of a hot spring resort, but a very special place where ancient Japanese history and spiritual power intersect.
Basic Information
Location: 508 Tamayu-cho Tamatsukuri, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
Enshrined Kami:
Kushiakarutama-no-Mikoto: Ancestral kami of gem crafting
Onamochi-no-Mikoto: Kami of nation-building and hot spring protection
Sukuna-bikona-no-Mikoto: Kami of hot spring healing and medicine
Main Blessings: Fulfillment of wishes, matchmaking/good relationships, prayers for beautiful skin, prosperity in business and industry
Legend and Mystery: The ‘Natural Gem’ that Appeared from the Mountain
The biggest highlight of Tamatsukuri-yu Jinja is the ‘Negai-ishi’ (Wish Stone) enshrined within its precincts. A mysterious legend that defies geological common sense remains about this stone.
Long ago, a ‘naturally formed stone that was already perfectly round’ was discovered in a nearby mountain. Normally, stones become round by being eroded by river currents or by human processing, but this stone is said to have appeared from within the mountain in its original, perfectly round state. The people of that time revered it as the ‘divine body (goshintai) of a stone kami’ and dedicated it to the jinja.
Even more astonishing is the legend that this jinja is the very place where the Yasakani-no-Magatama, one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan, was created. In ancient times, as its name ‘Tamatsukuri’ (meaning ‘gem crafting’) suggests, this area was a major center for magatama production. The energy of this ‘sacred site for gem crafting’, continuing from the age of myths, still overflows in this land today.
The ‘Kanae-ishi’ Ritual: Creating Your Own Unique Amulet
Many visitors experience the ‘Kanae-ishi’ ritual, where you create a one-of-a-kind amulet for yourself.
1. Receive a Kanae-ishi at the juyosho (shrine office): Each bag contains natural stones of different types and shapes. Which stone you receive is said to be up to the kami.
2. Touch it to the Negai-ishi: Cleanse the ‘Negai-ishi’ in the back of the jinja grounds with sacred water, and then directly touch your ‘Kanae-ishi’ to it. It is believed that power is transferred from stone to stone here.
3. Write your wish on a wish tag: Write your wish on a carbon-copy wish tag. Place one copy in the jinja’s collection box, and take the other copy home with your Kanae-ishi in the bag.
This direct action of ‘touching stone to stone’ is reputed to generate a strong power of attraction that helps wishes come true.
Behind the Scenes: The ‘Miyabashi’ Jinx for Love
There’s a secret story about the red ‘Miyabashi’ (shrine bridge) that spans the Tamayu River at the jinja’s entrance. Also known as the ‘Koikanai-bashi’ (Love Fulfillment Bridge), there’s a jinx that if the torii gate of the jinja behind you is beautifully captured in a photo taken on this bridge, your love will come true. When you visit, be sure to check your camera’s angle!
Pilgrimage Information: Izumo Scenery Depicted in Anime
Tamatsukuri-yu Jinja and the surrounding Tamatsukuri Onsen town have also garnered attention as settings for anime works.
Child of Kamiari Month: In this work, set throughout Shimane Prefecture, the atmospheric scenery of Tamatsukuri Onsen is depicted during the protagonists’ journey to Izumo.
Shinohayu the dawn of age (a spin-off of Saki): Set in Matsue, this work faithfully recreates the scenery of Tamatsukuri Onsen town and the area around the jinja, attracting a continuous stream of anime pilgrims.
In this land where ancient artisans poured their souls into polishing gems, why not entrust your own wishes to the ‘Negai-ishi’ and polish your own destiny?