Kyoto Temple and Shrine Tour] What is the benefit of “Inoshishi Shrine”?

With the weather getting warmer by the day, it is time to go out and enjoy the season.
There are many sightseeing spots, temples, and shrines in Kyoto, but the one we will introduce here is Goho-jinja Shrine, located on the west side of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which should be visited in combination with the Palace.
Let us introduce its history and benefits!

Table of Contents

• Why “Inoshishi-jinja Shrine”?
• Lots of boars!
• guardian god of one's feet and legs

Why “Inoshishi-jinja Shrine”?

Go'o Shrine is called “Inoshishi-jinja Shrine.” Why is it called that?
The reason for this has to do with the person enshrined.

Enshrined at this shrine are Wake no Kiyomaro and his sister Wake no Hiromushi, who contributed to Emperor Kanmu's relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo.

During the Nara period (710-794), Kiyomaro incurred the enmity of a monk named Yuge no Dokyo, who had become a Dharma king and wielded immense power, and was exiled to the province of Osumi (Kagoshima Prefecture) after Dokyo cut the tendons in his legs.
Kiyomaro could no longer even stand, but as he entered Buzen Province (eastern Fukuoka Prefecture), three hundred wild boars appeared from somewhere and surrounded Kiyomaro's palanquin (koshi = vehicle), protecting him from Michikagami's assassins and guiding him on his way to Usa Hachiman. When Kiyomaro finished his visit to the shrine, the boars left, and the pain in Kiyomaro's leg disappeared, and he was able to walk.

At the shrine dedicated to Kiyomaro, Komainushi (stone guardian dogs) have been erected to protect him to this day.

Lots of boars!

Statues of boars and other motifs can be seen throughout the temple grounds. Many figurines of boars were lined up at the water pots.

The "Wild Boar Collection" dedicated from all over Japan is also worth seeing.

As many as 4,000 boars exist, including "nade boars" made of cedar wood.

Come here and you are sure to see the boar of a lifetime.

guardian god of one's feet and legs

And Goho Shrine is said to be mainly beneficial for healing injuries and illnesses of the legs and feet, and is visited by many athletes and elderly people from all over the country.

If you wish to pray for recovery from a leg or back illness or injury, pay a visit to the "Monument for the Recovery of Foot and Leg Difficulties".
You can pray by climbing on the footprint stone or rubbing the monument.

In addition, the "Ashikoshi Festival" is held on the 21st of every month in honor of the anniversary of Wake no Kiyomaro's death.

It starts at 3:00 p.m. and no prayer fee is required. Anyone is free to attend.

If you have problems with your legs and back, or if your Chinese zodiac sign is boar, or if you have any other connection to boars, why not visit this place? If you have any connection to boars, such as having problems with your legs or back, or having your zodiac sign as a wild boar, why not visit this place?

Address: 385 Sakurazuruen-cho, Shimochojo-shita-machi, Karasuma-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Phone: 075-441-5458

Hours of worship: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Hours for awards, red seals, and prayers: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Nearest station: 7 minutes walk from Marutamachi (Kyoto City) Station