Utō Shrine

The Uto Shrine, also known as "the birthplace of Aomori City," is a historical shrine dedicated to the Three Goddesses of Munakata, daughters of the goddess Amaterasu in Japanese mythology. The shrine was founded by court noble Uto Chunagon Yasukata when the area was still called Uto Village and rebuilt in 807 by military leader Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. It is the guardian shrine of Aomori and is visited by worshippers praying for peace and prosperity, road safety and success in business. The shrine grounds feature a pond that was once a lake, a spring believed to be blessed by a dragon god and many historic remains. The shrine also has a connection to the woodblock artist Munakata Shiko and houses some of his works, as well as a monument marking the endpoint of the ancient Oshu Kaido highway and haiku stones inscribed by poet Matsuo Basho.