Yaotomi Shrine: Gamagori's Strongest Spiritual Spot

This time we will introduce Yaotomi Shrine on Takeshima in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture. The entire island is designated as a national natural monument, and the entire island is also within the precincts of Yaotomi Shrine.

Yaotomi Shrine, founded in 1181 (Heian period/first year of Yowa), is said to bring good luck just by visiting the island because the entire island is sacred. In addition, it is said that it is especially beneficial for good luck, safe childbirth, and matchmaking.

What is Takeshima?

Takeshima is about 5 minutes by bus from JR Gamagori Station. To get to Yaotomi Shrine, walk across a 400m bridge.

There is also a jinx that says, "Don't turn around while crossing the Takeshima Bridge." For this reason, it has long been known as a matchmaking bridge.

In the old days, Ieyasu Tokugawa visited the shrine before Battle of Sekigahara, and members of the imperial family often visited.

The length of the bridge from land is 387m. Until 1932, there was no bridge on this island, and people used to come and go by boat.

After crossing the bridge, there is a large torii gate in front of you. This is the entrance of Yaotomi Shrine.
Let's go inside after bowing!

After passing through the torii, a staircase with 101 steps appears. Surrounded by the rich greenery of Takeshima and the sacred atmosphere, the atmosphere changes in an instant.

After climbing the stairs, there is a chozuya in the middle of nowhere. Please wash your hands before worshiping.

Yaotomi Shrine, One of the Seven Benten Temples of Japan

This is Yaotomi Shrine.

"Takeshima Benzaiten (goddess of music, eloquence, also wealth)" is enshrined as one of the Seven Benzaiten (The Seven Gods of Fortune) in Japan, such as Enoshima (Kanagawa Prefecture), Chikubushima (Shiga Prefecture), and Itsukushima (Hiroshima Prefecture).

Yaotomi Shrine is said to have been built in 1181 (the first year of Yowa) in the Heian period. It is said that the shrine was established when Toshinari Fujiwara, a courtier and poet of the Mikawa Province, invoked Chikubushima Benzaiten on the island because the scenic beauty of the island resembled Chikubushima.

It is still believed by many people as a god of good luck and a guardian deity of safe childbirth.

In addition to Yaotomi Shrine, there are four other shrines: Uga Shrine, the god of food; Chitose Shrine, the god of longevity and study; Hachidairyu Shrine, the god of marital harmony and warding off evil; and Daikoku Shrine, the god of prosperous business.

It is said that by visiting all the shrines, you will be blessed with happiness for the rest of your life.

It is said that if you touch the hooves of the bronze statue of a horse in the precincts, you will receive good luck.

Because many people touch it, it is shining. Please try to touch it.

Let's Get a Goshuin (Red Ink Stamp)!

You can also get a goshuin at the shrine office.
There are two types of goshuin: the goshuin of Yaotomi Shrine and the goshuin of Hachidairyu Shrine.

Fee: 300 yen

"Ryujin Misaki" Overlooking the Magnificent Sea

After passing Hachidairyu Shrine, you can see the magnificent ocean from Cape Ryujin, the southernmost point.
Please enjoy the scenery while feeling the sacred atmosphere of Takeshima.

Sits on the Opposite Shore
"Takeshima Yaotomi Shrine Shinozu Yohaisho"

"Takeshima Yaotomi Shrine Shinozu Yohaisho" is located on the opposite shore of Takeshima. It is unknown when it was first built, but it is said that it was built because it was considered difficult to visit the shrine by boat at that time.

Since it is located at the entrance of Takeshima, it is possible to visit from here without crossing over to Takeshima. Since the building consists only of a roof, pillars, and a place of worship from afar, and there are no walls, Takeshima can be seen in front.

This time, I introduced about Takeshima.
Takeshima is said to be blessed with good luck just by visiting the island, and is a mysterious shrine that holds tremendous power on the island itself.

By all means, please visit the island when you go out to Gamagori.