A casual stroll through Japanese history

Shrines and Temples

Mikami jinja Shrine” God of hair

It has long been said that hair is “a woman’s life,” but it is no less important for a man’s hair, although not necessarily his life.
Mikami jinja Shrine is located on Mt. Ogura in Sagano, Kyoto, which is mentioned in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu poem. Nearby are the deeply forested mausoleum of Emperor Kameyama and Ogura Pond.
The nearest station is Trolley Arashiyama Station, but a walking route through the bamboo grove from JR Arashiyama Station is recommended.

Mikami jinja Shrine’s deity is the “founder of the hairdressing profession (hairdressing and beauty business).

During the reign of Emperor Kameyama, Fujiwara no Uneme no Sho Masayuki was born as the third son of Kitakoji Zaejo Fujiwara no Motoharu, a descendant of Fujiwara no Kamatari and guardian of the Imperial Palace’s treasures.
During the Bun’ei period, Lord Motoharu set up a house in Shimonoseki to search for his lost treasure sword “Kuohmaru”.
To make ends meet during that time, Lord Masayuki did the hair of the women of the village headman, which is said to have been the beginning of the “hairdressing profession”.

It was built at the foot of Mt. Ogura, the mausoleum of Emperor Kameyama, which is deeply connected to the word “hair” or “god,” and enshrines a statue of Lord Masayuki as its principal deity.
It is visited not only by the barbering and beauty industry and students who aim to become barbers and beauticians, but also by many people related to hair.

Why not try Mikami jinja Shrine’s unique “hair dedication”?

Cut your own hair with special hair-donating scissors and place it in the donation bag.
The hair dedication is basically accepted daily at the awarding office. The donated hair will be placed in a mound of hair (hollow underneath) on the temple grounds at a later date.
To express gratitude for the blessings received from the hair, an annual “Gyoso Thanksgiving Ceremony” and hair memorial service are held on the “Great Festival Day,” and many people involved with hair attend the service, including those who offer wigs used for practice and other purposes.

Unique and cute amulets only at Mikami jinja Shrine! Unique and cute amulets are available!

Unique, cute, and distinctive amulets in the shape of combs and scissors are available.
The “Fusafusa amulet” is a name unique to this shrine.
There are also amulets for barbers and beauticians to pray for success in obtaining qualifications, and for those who cannot visit the shrine for reasons such as distance, there is a nice service to send amulets by mail.

A little luxury? Take a rickshaw ride around Mikami jinja Shrine in Sagano

The rickshaw is higher than the line of sight from which you are walking, so it feels like a different view.
The bamboo forest in Sagano is a popular spot and crowded, but there are special paths for rickshaws, so you don’t have to worry about crowds.” It is sure to be a “SNS-worthy” experience.

The jinrikisha driver, who is well versed in the local area, will guide you in an interesting and easy-to-understand manner, so you may discover something new and unknown.
Why not ask him about recommended gourmet foods and hole-in-the-wall spots?
There is a basic price and time, but they can also accommodate you if you ask for advice such as, “I don’t have much time, but I would like a ride.” If you ask for advice, such as “I don’t have much time, but I want to take a ride,” they may be able to accommodate you.

Kyoto is famous for “tofu.

There are three main types of tofu: silken (kinugoshi) tofu, cotton (momen) tofu, and, although it may only be available in the Kansai region, saga (saga) tofu, which is somewhere between silken and cotton tofu.
Saga-dofu is just right for yudofu, as it is neither too soft nor too firm.

There are many restaurants serving tofu in Arashiyama and Sagano, so why not try cold tofu in summer and yudofu in winter.

Access to Mikami jinja Shrine

10-2 Saganokurayama Tabuchiyama-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan

・Approx. 15 min. walk from Saga-Arashiyama Sta. on JR Sanin Honsen Line
・Saga Kanko Railway “Trolley Arashiyama” station, in front of the station
・8 minutes walk from Arashiyama Station on the Randen Arashiyama Line
・Hankyu Arashiyama Line “Arashiyama Station”, approx. 20 min. walk

Parking around Mikami jinja Shrine

Mikami jinja Shrine Official Website

http://mikami-jinja.sakura.ne.jp/

Recommended around Mikami jinja Shrine

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