Located in Chikuracho of Minamiboso City, Takabe Shrine is the one and only shrine in Japan that enshrines “Iwakamutsukari no Mikoto”, the God of Cooking. Cooking experts, including miso and soy sauce manufacturers, and highly motivated chefs from throughout the country come to visit and worship the God.

Hocho-shiki (Knife Ceremony) is what makes Takabe Shrine special. It is a ritual where the practitioner prepares fish, such as sea bream and carp, using only a knife and cutting board. What makes it special is that the fish is never touched by hand, expressing how holy the fish is. It has been an Imperial Court event since the Heian Period (794-1185), and through the ceremony one is able to witness traditional moves and cutting techniques which were part of traditional Japanese cuisine. The ceremony has been passed down for centuries, and today, visitors are able to witness it only three times a year; on May 17th, October 17th, and November 23rd.

Aji, or horse mackerel, is a popular fish in Minamiboso City. There are a variety of dishes featuring aji that is known throughout the country, like “namero”, which is finely chopped fresh aji with seasoning, and sashimi, and locals have incorporated local essences to these dishes to make them unique to the Minamiboso area. They have also created aji dishes distinct to the area like “sangayaki”, which is grilled or steamed “namero”, and these aji dishes has been certified as “100-year Food” by the Agency of Cultural Affairs. Thus, aji can be said to be an ingredient acknowledged by the God of Cooking.


At Takabe Shrine, you can find a special apron with the God of Cooking printed. This apron will surely help in heightening your cooking skills!
Apron: 3,500 yen (tax included) *Click here to visit official website.

During the summer, the shrine’s precinct is decorated with numerous “furin”, or Japanese wind chimes, and the dedication hall is decorated with “wagasa”, which are Japanese style umbrellas. Every night from 6pm to 9:30pm, bamboo lights light up the site as well. The sounds of the “furin” and the soft lights of bamboo and umbrellas create a mystical atmosphere, making it a special night for visitors.

During the winter, the shrine is lit up with bamboo lights. The soft light from the bamboo turns the main shrine, “chozuya” (the place to wash your hands), and even the small steps that take you to the shrine and the memorial monument, into a totally different scene from the daytime.