Funadamaura Shrine: “Funadama-san,” the Guardian of Yaizu’s Sea

Located near Yaizu Port’s inner harbor, Funadamaura Shrine has long been revered by fishermen and sailors as a guardian deity of the sea. Affectionately known by locals as “Funadama-san,” the shrine continues to be a sacred place where people pray for safe voyages and abundant catches.

Faith Passed Down from Wakayama

It is said that Funadamaura Shrine was established as a branch of Funatama Shrine in Wakayama Prefecture during the Edo period, though the exact founding date is unknown.
For the people of Yaizu—whose lives have always been tied to the ocean—the god of safe sailing has been an important source of protection and peace of mind.

The shrine grounds are small and quiet, wrapped in a soft sea breeze that carries the scent of salt.

When you visit, take a moment to notice the suzu-o, the bell rope used for worship.Its intricate braid is made using the same rope-weaving techniques used by local fishermen, a beautiful symbol of how faith and maritime culture are intertwined in Yaizu.

A Summer Ritual Offering to the Sea

Every year on July 26, the shrine holds its Summer Festival, the most important event of the year.
After a solemn ceremony, participants board boats and sail offshore to release small wooden vessels filled with red rice into the sea—an ancient ritual of gratitude and prayer for safety and bountiful fishing.
In recent years, students from Yaizu Fisheries High School have helped craft these miniature boats, keeping the tradition alive while connecting the local community with the next generation.

A Shrine that Connects Sea and People

Within the grounds, visitors can find informational displays set up by the local NPO “Hama no Kai.”
These signs include a QR code linking to videos about the shrine and its ceremonies, offering visitors a chance to learn about the shrine’s history and its role in Yaizu’s maritime life.

Yaizu is a town that lives with the sea.
Even today, Funatamaura Shrine quietly watches over the people as their guardian of the ocean.
When exploring the Yaizu Port and Hama-dori area, be sure to stop by this small but spiritually rich shrine—and feel the presence of the sea that sustains the town.

Address: 1-16 Honmachi, Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Deity: Ōwatatsumi no Mikoto (God of the Sea)
Annual Festival: July 26 (Summer Festival)