You may have heard about Zao Fox Village, where you can meet dozens of foxes. Maybe you’ve discovered Tashirojima, the small island inhabited more by cats than humans. But did you know that there is also an island where deer are considered sacred creatures and are free to roam as they please? This island is Kinkasan, a holy place protected by Koganeyama Shrine. An island where nature and spirituality coexist.

Kinkasan is a holy island located off the coast of Ishinomaki City, home to the legendary Koganeyama Shrine. It is said that those who make three consecutive annual pilgrimages to the shrine will be blessed with wealth for the rest of their lives. The shrine was originally built around 750 CE in this area, which was rich with gold at the time. The entire island is actually part of the grounds of Koganeyama Shrine, and the gods are said to protect every step you take.

The island setting is enchanting, with the deer free to roam inside and outside the shrine grounds, and monkeys in the forest making the whole experience feel wild. No visit is complete without happening upon the Kinkasan deer, who are regarded as messengers of the gods by Shinto priests.

On the first Sunday of October, an antler-cutting ritual is performed which helps make the male deer safer to be around. The shrine turns the antler cuttings into charms, purchased by the faithful as talismans and by tourists as souvenirs.

The limited boat schedule can sometimes make a day-trip to the island difficult, so it is recommended to make a reservation and stay overnight at Koganeyama Shrine.