Koyasu Shrine 子安神社 1
Shrines in Japan could be described most simplistically as places to pray for good luck or give thanks for past blessings. Shrines may relate to a local god or one associated with a natural feature such as a mountain, or a particular prayer topic, such as academic success, luck in love, or even drive-in shrines at which you can have your car blessed for safety.
Whilst it is common for larger shrine precincts to include one or more mini-shrines dedicated particular themes and/or which are branches of a larger main shrine found elsewhere in Japan, Koyasu Shrine is an interesting extreme example, comprising no less than 11 shrines within one compact precinct in the middle of a city. The main shrine, established in 759, is dedicated to the safe delivery of babies, and so is popular with expecting couples or families with newborns.
Koyasu Shrine 子安神社 1
Shrines in Japan could be described most simplistically as places to pray for good luck or give thanks for past blessings. Shrines may relate to a local god or one associated with a natural feature such as a mountain, or a particular prayer topic, such as academic success, luck in love, or even drive-in shrines at which you can have your car blessed for safety.
Whilst it is common for larger shrine precincts to include one or more mini-shrines dedicated particular themes and/or which are branches of a larger main shrine found elsewhere in Japan, Koyasu Shrine is an interesting extreme example, comprising no less than 11 shrines within one compact precinct in the middle of a city. The main shrine, established in 759, is dedicated to the safe delivery of babies, and so is popular with expecting couples or families with newborns.