Shiogama Shrine in Shiogama

Shiogama Shrine stands atop a massive staircase, towering 202 steps above the city below. Along this staircase is a small forest, so beautiful and natural that it is hard to believe you were stepping on city pavement a few seconds earlier. Atop the staircase is one of the symbols of this little coastal town, the main gate to Shiogama Shrine.
Within the shrine area itself you'll find four separate prayer areas in three separate shrine sections with several locations where you can buy charms, fortunes, and even postcards. As you explore the grounds around the shrine, you'll also fine one of the best views of Shiogama overlooking the shrine garden, which is beautiful in its own right. Further from the shrine and behind a big harpoon gun, a white building houses a small maritime museum. A little further down and to the left, you'll find a field of cherry trees, perfect for hanami season. Many of the trees are of the species Shiogama-Zakura, a special sakura tree made famous by the 10 petal double blossoms that appear on its branches.
Because of these fantastic trees being planted all over the grounds, spring is a big time for tourists to Shiogama shrine, but the grounds are gorgeous any time of the year. If you're a fan of Japanese shrines or gardens, you should definitely make a point of seeing Shiogama Shrine.