Miwa shrine in Osu shopping street

20/12/2024

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Miwa shrine in Osu shopping street

Osu Shopping Street is like a compact mix of Asakusa, Ueno, and Akihabara in Tokyo. Recently, it’s become popular with international tourists. This area has not only Osu Kannon but also many other shrines, temples, and ancient tombs, making it a great place for studying Japanese history.

Today, I’m introducing Miwa Shrine, a shrine established in 1570. For some reason, this shrine has recently become popular among young Japanese people. The day I visited, there were about ten people in the small shrine grounds, making it a bit challenging to take photos.

The photo above shows the sacred camphor tree, believed to be 450 years old. This sacred tree is thought to bring good fortune in forming connections, whether in work or love. Many people come here to pray for favorable relationships.

The sacred deity of Miwa Shrine is Ōmononushi, who is said to be the same as Ōkuninushi. According to mythology, Ōkuninushi helped a rabbit, so the shrine seems to emphasize its connection to rabbits.

Within the shrine grounds, there are arrow symbols. These originate from the Edo period when an archery range (矢場 yaba) was established on the premises of Miwa Shrine. This area was once known as Yabachō(矢場町), named after the archery range.

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I’ve compiled a list of Nagoya’s places that I’ve personally visited. Is Nagoya boring? Not at all! While it has developed as an industrial city, it also hides interesting places full of history and culture. Use this guide to explore Nagoya and discover its hidden gems.