A very very small shrine. At close distance to the middle of nowhere, and not easy to spot, this place is a genuine prayer shrine. In a circle of 7 really tall cedar trees, and with a huge Sakura on a branch of which a baby momiji (maple) has started to grow, it feels super relax. People come there to write prayers on red bits of cloth that they tie to wooden building and to the tree branches around. There's no mark to separate the shrine from the surrounding private garden. Highly recommended for the romantic and magic atmosphere.
The enshrined deity is Ushi-Yu Myojin, famous for praying for love and marriage.
Near the entrance to Shin-Sato Atago Shrine, you can see a row of torii gates.
It is said that during the Edo period, Minatoya Heibei, a merchant from Tono, persuaded Ushi-Yu Myojin from the torii gates of Fudai Village to come here.
In the 35th chapter of Yanagita Kunio's Tono Monogatari Shūi, it is said that this area was once a large pond inhabited by the Lord of the Abyss, and that prayers for marriage offered to the Lord of the Abyss would be granted.
Passing through the torii gates, you can see many red cloths hanging on ropes and tree branches.
It is said that if you write your wish on the red cloth at the shrine with your non-dominant hand and then tie it with your non-dominant hand, your wish will come true.
A very special and mysterious scene. There is also an Atago Shrine and a small shrine nearby.
It is designated as Tono Heritage No. 145.
It is recommended to visit Shin-Sato Atago Shrine next door, but it requires a walk up a mountain path to get there.
The effect is incredible. That's all I can say. I wasn't directly involved, but I was amazed.
They were from different prefectures, but got married within a few days. She had been longing for him for over six years, and it finally came to fruition, but they broke up early.
When I asked why, it turned out he harbored resentment towards his past (his parents). They fought, and she abruptly ended the relationship despite the blessing she received from the Uno-Tori deity.
However, a year later, she found someone else—a "beep beep beep"—and got married. Their family has grown, and they're living happily. Moreover, since getting married, the man's career has been booming, his income has increased, and he's now self-employed. He cherishes his family, and I'm truly happy for him.
This is what a happy marriage looks like.
From my perspective, I think it's the strength of her will, her earnestness, and her drive.
Waiting won't make someone suddenly come to you.
Even if you receive a blessing written on cloth and end up breaking up after a conflict, good connections can continue.
Incidentally, that woman was strongly left-handed and tied the knot with her left hand. She said, "I must tie it with my left hand, just as the Rabbit-Rooster deity instructed," and silently poured her heart into it.
That day I prayed in my coming-of-age ceremony kimono.
Ten years have passed since my visit. April 2026.
Tying with one hand
It's a kind of magic. The legend says that if you can tie the red cloth in the shrine grounds to a tree branch using only your left hand (your non-dominant hand), your love will be fulfilled (a bond will be formed).
Originally, there was a large pool, and according to the Tono Monogatari (Tales of Tono), praying to the "master" who lived there would result in a mysterious bond.
Yin-Yang Five Elements Barrier: Derived from the twelve zodiac signs "Rat (North/Water)," "Rabbit (East/Wood)," and "Rooster (West/Metal)," it is said to also possess the power of the White Tiger, which protects the western side of the land.
A white tiger was carved into the shrine.
May 2026. Ema (votive tablets) depicting rabbits, mice, and chickens were on display.
Commemorative goshuin (temple/shrine stamps) can be purchased at the unmanned information center.
The evacuation center was Tono Elementary School.
It's over two kilometers from here, quite far.
