Visit Japan Web Imamiya Shrine
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Imamiya Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in Kita-ku, Kyoto. It was originally established for patrons to pray for safety from an epidemic. It has evolved into a shrine where patrons can pray for general good health. The shrine complex is embedded in a forest of large trees and includes many minor shrines in addition to the main shrine. On every second Sunday in April, one of the 3 major festivals in Yasurai Matsuri, is held at the shrine.
Imamiya Shrine was founded during the Heian period in 994. In 1001, however, the shrine was moved to its present-day location. It is a response to an epidemic that had hit the Kyoto area a year earlier. Current iterations of many of the structures were rebuilt in 1902. The shrine’s festival, Yasurai Matsuri, was also created as a response to the epidemic. Through music and dance, the festival attempts to appease petrels around Kyoto with cherry blossom petals.
There are numerous unique attractions at Imamiya Shrine. In particular, there are two long-standing restaurants adjacent to the shrine. These establishments specialize in aburimochi, which are skewered, roasted rice cakes and a traditional Kyoto confection. The two restaurants, named Ichiwa and Kazariya, have been in operation since 1000 and 1656 respectively, and are situated right outside the shrine’s east gate.
The shrine also contains a rock known as ahokashisan, which is believed to possess magical properties. If a person rubs the stone and then rubs an injured part of their body, they will heal faster than usual. Additionally, if a person taps the stone three times, then lifts it, the stone will feel heavy. Ahokashisan, along with Yasurai Matsuri, are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
