A calm city shrine near Hiratsuka Station, offering a peaceful walking spot amid urban surroundings

4.0
旅行時期：2025/12（1ヶ月以内）

by Cyberさん（男性）

平塚・大磯クチコミ：2件

平塚駅北口から徒歩10分程度のところにある神社である。いわゆる町の中心的でありながら静かに町を見守っているかのような存在で、単に参拝するためだけでなく、市民の憩いの場や散策ルートの一つにもなっている。
神社の敷地の南側には、『東海道』の名を持つ国道一号線の道路があり、平日・休日、昼夜問わず車が走行している。加えて周辺には公共機関が多くあることから、特に昼間、神社の周囲は喧騒が絶えない。とは言え、不愉快に感じる程の騒がしさではなく、典型的な大きな町の神社と言えよう。
神社の境内には公園が隣接されている。敷地を周遊するだけであれば1時間程度で済むほどの広さである。
この神社ならではの特徴的、あるいは目を見張るような建築物や装飾は見られないが、境内の敷地面積と比較すると、豊富に水を湛えている神社であるように感じるかもしれない。一の鳥居をくぐればすぐに東御池と西御池があり、浄銭池の龍の像から勢いよく水が噴き出ている。それ以外にも境内にはそこはかとなく水の気配を感じるだろう。幾度と災害や戦火に見舞われ、その都度立て直してきた神社であるだけに、水に対する感謝の念があるのかもしれない。

This Shinto shrine is located about a 10-minute walk from the north exit of Hiratsuka Station. While situated near the town center, it feels as though it quietly watches over the city, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a relaxing space and part of a local walking route for residents.
On the southern edge of the shrine grounds runs National Route 1, also known as the Tokaido Road, which carries steady traffic day and night on both weekdays and weekends. In addition, many public institutions are located nearby, so the area around the shrine is rarely completely quiet during the daytime. That said, the level of noise is not unpleasant, and the atmosphere is typical of a shrine located in a larger city.
A public park is adjacent to the shrine grounds, and the entire area can be comfortably explored in about an hour. While there are no particularly striking or unique buildings or decorations that stand out visually, visitors may notice that the shrine feels unusually rich in water features relative to its size. Immediately after passing through the first torii gate, you will find the Higashi-Mioike and Nishi-Mioike ponds, as well as a dragon statue at the purification pond from which water flows vigorously. Elsewhere on the grounds, the presence of water can be subtly felt throughout.
Having been repeatedly damaged by natural disasters and warfare over the centuries and rebuilt each time, the shrine may reflect a deep sense of gratitude and reverence toward water as a sustaining and protective force.