Gathering followers as the Oshu Ichinomiya(the highest-ranking shrine within Tohoku)
Believed to be the god of safe travel on the sea, safe childbirth, and continued luck in the fortunes of war. The grounds are located on a slightly elevated hill and in addition to main shrine and front shrine nationally designated as Important Cultural Assets, you can also catch an unbroken scenic view of Matsushima Bay. The path composed of 202 steps which connects the temple grounds to the surrounding town also conveys a sense of elegance. Also famous for the Shiogama cherry blossoms, a cherry tree with large flowers that can contain as many as 40 to 50 petals, which bloom around the beginning of May.