Oarai's Coast and the Hitachi Mine: Sea and Industry in N. Ibaraki
Northern Ibaraki holds both a stunning stretch of coast and the memory of modern industry, side by side. Here are two contrasting stories: a shrine at Oarai, and a chimney at Hitachi.
Along the coast of Oarai Town stands Oarai Isosaki Shrine, famed for its Kamiiso Torii gate. In Hitachi City, meanwhile, the Great Chimney once towered as a symbol of the fight against industrial pollution.
Maritime faith and modern industry — two very different legacies that both shaped the history of Northern Ibaraki.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine and the Kamiiso Torii
A torii gate standing in the seaKamiiso no Torii
Oarai Isosaki Shrine is said to have been founded in the era of Emperor Montoku, and its torii gate stands out in the sea in reference to the legend that its enshrined deities descended there from the ocean. It's known as a spectacular sunrise viewpoint, and in recent years has also become a popular pilgrimage site for anime fans.
The Hitachi Mine and its pollution problem
Rapid growth under Kuhara Fusanosuke
The Hitachi Mine grew rapidly after Kuhara Fusanosuke acquired it in 1905. That growth came with severe smoke pollution, and the Great Chimney was built as the solution. On the technical side, Namihei Odaira — who would go on to found Hitachi, Ltd. — worked there as machine shop supervisor.
Source:The Founder's Spirit: Kuhara Fusanosuke - City of Hitachi
The Great Chimney's aftermath
1993 collapse and the surviving portion
Completed in 1914, the Great Chimney stood about 155.7m tall, but about two-thirds of it collapsed in 1993. The surviving portion, about 54m tall, remains in use as a working chimney to this day.
FAQ
Which shrine is the Kamiiso Torii part of?
It's part of Oarai Isosaki Shrine. Nearby stands its paired shrine, Sakatsura Isosaki Shrine, known for the fortune of wealth it's said to bring — together the two shrines anchor Oarai's coastline.
Is the Great Chimney still standing?
Yes, though the 1993 collapse cut its height to roughly a third of the original. It was businessman Kuhara Fusanosuke, not engineer Namihei Odaira, who led the chimney's construction.