The year 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit! Which shrines in Kyoto are associated with rabbits?

The year 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit.
We would like to introduce you to a shrine in Kyoto where rabbits are enshrined, so that you can experience the atmosphere of the rabbit year to the fullest!

Table of Contents

■Okazaki Shrine

■Uji Shrine

■Ujigami Shrine

■Okazaki Shrine

The first shrine is Okazaki Shrine.
Okazaki Shrine is located in the Okazaki area, where Heian Shrine and other shrines are located.
Also known as "Higashi Tenno," the shrine is believed to have a cute "rabbit" as its guardian deity, as the entire surrounding area used to be inhabited by wild rabbits in the past.

The shrine is also believed to be the god of "childbirth and safe delivery" because rabbits have many children and because the god of the shrine was blessed with many children.

The deities of Okazaki Shrine are Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushi-inada-himenomikoto.
After rescuing Princess Kiinadahime no Mikoto, who was about to be sacrificed by Yamata-no-orochi, the couple married and were blessed with a child. The shrine is said to be blessed for marriage as well.

Since Okazaki Shrine is such a shrine, the precincts are filled with rabbits here and there.

Two "guardian rabbits" are the first to greet visitors as they enter the temple grounds.
The male "A-gata" is the one with its mouth open on the right facing the main shrine, and the female "Un-gata" is the one with its mouth closed on the left.
It is said that patting the head will bring good luck for matchmaking and marital harmony.

A little further in is the main shrine, where two "beckoning rabbits" sit on either side.
The one on the right is a "marriage beckoning rabbit". On the left is the "Money-making Rabbit".

And there is also a rabbit in the hand-watering basin in the precincts! It is a black granite statue of a child-giving rabbit.
It is said that if you look up at the moon, pour water on the rabbit with your strength in your body, rub your belly and pray, you will be blessed with a child and have a safe delivery.

The lanterns are decorated with rabbits, and there is a small statue of a mother and child rabbit in one corner of the temple grounds. The sight of the many votive lots offered by visitors to the temple is also a spectacular sight.

Several types of rabbit motif amulets are also available, as one would expect from the rabbit-obsessed Okazaki Shrine.

Facility Name:Okazaki Shrine
Address: 51 Okazaki Higashi Tenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-771-1963

HP:https://okazakijinja.jp/

Uji Shrine

Next is Uji Shrine in Uji Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.
Uji is an area located approximately 30 minutes from JR Kyoto Station on the Nara Line.
It is the setting of the Tale of Genji Uji Jucho and is well known as a tea-producing region.

The deity of Uji Shrine is Uji-no-Wakiiratsuko-no-mikoto, a prince of the 15th Emperor Ojin. The shrine was founded by Emperor Nintoku and is also known as Rikyu Hachimangu.

You can encounter rabbits called "mikaeri-usagi" in various places in the precincts of Uji Shrine.
The pose of the rabbit looking back is derived from a legend that when the god of the shrine, Ushio Wakaroshi-no-mikoto, came to Uji from Kawachi, he was lost and looked back at the god to guide him along the way. So the rabbit is a messenger of God.

The first place where you will encounter the "Mikaerusagi" is the hand-watering basin. What a surprise, water is flowing out of the rabbit's mouth. Let's cleanse your hands here!

And the white porcelain Mikaeragi rabbits can be encountered in the main shrine.
The main shrine is a National Important Cultural Property, with a hinoki bark thatched roof in the sangensha nagarezukuri style from the early Kamakura period (1185-1333).
In the center of the interior is enshrined a wooden statue of the god Bukido Wakaro-no-Mikoto (National Important Cultural Property).

Also, there is an ema hall on the right side of the main shrine, where ema (votive picture tablet) with a rabbit on it is dedicated.

Now, how many bunnies can you meet?
We hope you enjoy your "rabbit tour"!

Facility Name:Uji Shrine
Address: 1 Uji Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
Phone: 0774-21-3041

HP:http://uji-jinja.com/

Ujigami Shrine

Last but not least is Ujigami Shrine.
Ujigami Shrine is located 200 to 300 meters up the "Sawarabi Path" that extends to the west of Uji Shrine.
It is the Shinto shrine of Byodo-in Temple, which sits across the Uji River and is the oldest remaining shrine architecture in Japan, built in the Heian period (794-1192).

Until the Meiji Era, Ujigami-jinja Shrine was a single "Ujirikumyojin (Hachimangu)" with the neighboring Uji Shrine, and was called Rikyu-josha and Rikyu-shita-sha, respectively. In 1887, Ujigami Shrine was separated from Uji Shrine and became independent.
It is also known as one of the World Heritage Sites "Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto.

The deities of the shrine are Prince Bannochi, his father Emperor Ojin and his elder brother Emperor Nintoku.
According to legend, Emperor Ojin favored the scholarly youngster and made him the Crown Prince, but he gave up the throne to his elder brother, Emperor Nintoku, saying that he should succeed to it.
Ujigami Shrine is said to be blessed with good luck in academics, in honor of Ujigami's brotherly love for his older brother and his devotion to his studies.

The character "Uji" was once written as "rabbit road (菟道)" and read as "Uji". The shrine is also closely associated with rabbits, as its deity is the same as that of Uji Shrine.

The awarding office has a rabbit motif amulet and red seal!
The three-dimensional "Usagigata Mamori" features a cute round form. Other charms with a calm atmosphere, such as cloisonne and bells, are also available.

The bunny rabbits are really cute in light pastel colors, so you can take one home with you.

Facility Name:Ujigami Shrine
Address: 59 Uji Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
Phone: 0774-21-4634

HP:https://ujikamijinja.amebaownd.com/

When you visit Kyoto in 2023, visit a shrine with a strong connection to rabbits to bring good luck♪