Sunny skies, and I felt an unmistakable pull toward this shrine — I was actually on a bus heading to Kinkaku-ji when I suddenly found myself searching “abura mochi” and hopped off at the next stop to walk over. Too much of a coincidence to ignore!
The shrine enshrines three deities — Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto, and Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto — and was founded in the Heian period to ward off epidemics. It’s also affectionately known as the “Tamanokoshi Shrine” (Cinderella Shrine), thanks to its connection to Keishoin, mother of the 5th Tokugawa shogun, and is popular for blessings of good relationships and fortune.
The grounds felt peaceful and clean under the clear blue sky — a genuinely refreshing visit. Afterward, I stopped for the famous abura mochi (grilled rice cakes with sweet miso glaze) at the shrine’s entrance, said to bring protection from misfortune. An unplanned detour that turned into one of the best surprises of the trip — this is exactly the kind of serendipity that makes Kyoto special.
晴天で、境内の空気がとても清々しく、最高に気持ちの良い参拝になりました。御祭神は大己貴命・事代主命・奇稲田姫命の三柱で、平安時代に疫病を鎮めるために創建されたと知り、歴史の重みを感じました。今では「玉の輿神社」としても有名で、良縁や開運を願う参拝者も多いそうです。
参拝後は門前のあぶり餅もいただき、厄除けのご利益もいただいた気分。予定外の立ち寄りでしたが、こういう「偶然」こそ京都の面白さだと思います。
