[Nagoya, Osu] Let's go to Miwa Shrine, a Shrine of Marriage and Rabbits!

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The zodiac for 2023 is the rabbit. If you have the chance, you would like to visit a shrine that is appropriate for the year of the rabbit. We recommend Miwa Shrine, which is located in the corner of Osu Shopping Arcade, one of Nagoya's tourist attractions. It is said that the god of marriage is enshrined here, and a rabbit is enshrined as a messenger of the god. It was founded in 1570 to welcome the gods from Omiwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture, which is also known as the strongest spiritual spot in Japan.

Although it is a small shrine, many people come to worship every day, such as women who come for the cute goshuin (red ink stamp) and those who come to pray for marriage.

History of Miwa Shrine

Miwa Shrine was founded in 1570 during the Sengoku period (Genki era). It is said that Maki Wakasanokami Nagakiyo, who moved from Sakurai Miwa-cho, Nara to Kobayashi (around the current Yaba-cho intersection), enshrined Omononushi no Kami (Okuninushi no Kami, Daikoku-sama) in his hometown Mt. Miwa.

During the Edo period, it was highly revered by successive feudal lords, including Munekatsu Tokugawa, the eighth feudal lord of Owari. In the Meiji period, the 16th lord of the Owari clan, Yoshinobu Tokugawa (1864-1871), was enshrined together.

In 1668 (Kanbun 8), the Owari Tokugawa Family 's Toshiya (long-range archery) training ground was built in the precincts. It is said that this was the origin of Yaba-cho.

I have lived in Nagoya for a long time, but I learned for the first time that Yabacho was originally from Miwa Shrine. There is a stone monument in the precincts that shows that there was a yaba site.

Triple Profit! Miwa Shrine's Cultural Property "Miwa Torii"

There are about 85,000 shrines in Japan, but it is said that there are only 7 torii gates, which are also the entrance to the precincts. It is called Miwa Torii or Mitsu Torii, and it is a rare structure with torii gates on both sides of Myojin Torii (both ends of *Kasagi and Shimagi are curved). *Top and the bottom part of the upper cross-beam of a torii.

It is said that if you pass through the Miwa torii in the official way, you will get three times the benefits. By all means, I would like to pass through here on the official way.

The "Happy Nade-usagi" that Grants Wishes

There are several spiritual spots in the precincts, one of which is the "Happy Nade-usagi". Since ancient times, the Omononushi-no-Kami enshrined at Miwa Shrine has been worshiped as a spirit with a mysterious power that brings happiness.

The rabbit is the messenger of Omononushi-no-kami and this “Happy Nade-usagi” was built as a symbol of the divine virtue of Omononushi-kami who brings happiness to the world. It is said that by petting, it brings happiness and relieves the pain.

In addition, rabbits have long been said to be very auspicious animals, and their long ears are said to bring good fortune.

There are Lots of Rabbits in the Precincts!

In addition to petting rabbits, there are various large and small rabbit figurines in the precincts. Please try to find the rabbit together!

Rabbits are hidden in unexpected places.

The location is not the same each time, but changes irregularly, so looking for rabbits will be a pleasure every time you visit.