[Toyokawa city] Visit "Toyokawa Inari" where Worshipers Visit from All Over the Country

Toyokawa Inari, located in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture, is known as one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan. Millions of worshipers visit every year, not only from locals but also from all over the country. It is also known as the god of prosperity in business  and good fortune.

This time, we visited Toyokawa Inari and took a walk around Omotesando around Toyokawa Inari Shrine!

What kind of place is Toyokawa Inari?

Toyokawa Inari is a Soto temple officially named Myogonji Temple. The deity enshrined at Toyokawa Inari is the Toyokawa Dakini Shinten, who is known as "Toyokawa Inari" because of the way he carries a load of rice.

The precincts boast an area of 12.72 ha (31,151 tsubo), and include the main shrine and Reikozuka where many foxes are enshrined.

Historical buildings

Toyokawa Inari is a 5-minute walk from Toyokawa Station on the JR Iida Line by train, or a 10-minute drive from Toyokawa IC on the Tomei Expressway by car.

First of all, here is the main gate, Somon, which is also the face of Toyokawa Inari. This main gate was renovated once in 1656, 214 years after its opening, and the current one was built in April 1884.

The gate and both side doors are made of a single piece of 4.5m high, 1.8m wide, and 15cm thick zelkova wood that is over 1,000 years old. The unique scale-like grain of the zelkova wood is also known as a rare wood.

The "Chinjudo" is located on the right side of the temple grounds as you enter. It was originally a Shinto music and dance hall, but was reconstructed in the spring of 1930, when the main hall was inaugurated. "Hakusan Myouri Daigongen" is enshrined as the guardian deity of Zenshji Dogen, founder of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. A grand festival is held every May and November, and the portable shrine is enshrined in this "Chinjudo".

Next to the Chinjudo is the Shorodo. It is made entirely of zelkova wood and is praised as an excellent modern building. The sound of the bell that strikes at noon and in the evening can be heard over 4km away, and is loved by the locals. It is also broadcast nationwide through NHK as the sound of the New Year's bell.

Beyond the "Shorodo" is the "Sanmon (gate)" donated by Lord Imagawa Yoshimoto in 1536, and is the oldest existing building at Toyokawa Inari. It is characterized by the shape of its roof, the only one with a round-tile roofing.

If you go from the main hall to the back, you will find "Okunoin". This building was built in Bunka 11 (1814).

Let's visit the main shrine

When you pass through the main gate and turn left, you will see two large torii gates.

Prepare to visit by purifying your hands and mouth at Sesuisha.

The main shrine can be seen beyond the second torii gate.

The scenery surrounded by trees on the way to the main shrine is also a highlight. Just walking around will make you feel relieved.

This is the "Toyokawa Inari Daihonden," where Toyokawa Dakini Shinten is enshrined. The building is made entirely of Japanese cypress, with a frontage of 19.35m, height of 30.6m, and depth of 38.59m.

As a mantra, it is said that it is good to chant "Onshira-battani-riun-sowaka" when visiting the shrine.

To "Reikozuka" where foxes are lined up

Proceeding further into the main hall, there is a place called "Reikozuka" where more than 800 foxes of various sizes are enshrined.

Let's go further.

I've arrived. It's surrounded by trees, so it's kind of cool!

The torii gate and the foxes came into view! This is "Reikozuka".

Originally, it was a place to enshrine a fox statue, but it seems that the fox that was dedicated as a thank you for "fulfilling prayers" is enshrined. You will be overwhelmed by the number! (For those who wish to make a dedication, please visit the Senbon-nobori reception desk near Reikozuka)

 Pay attention to the "Seven Lucky Gods Mikuji"!

There are various power spots in the Toyokawa Inari precincts, but the "Seven Lucky Gods Mikuji" in the Toyokawa Inari precincts is also popular! The place where this "Seven Lucky Gods Mikuji" is located is this "Zendo" in the back of the main hall.

The “Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) Mikuji” that brings you great luck is 200 yen. Of course, I also drew an omikuji (fortune strip).

After dedicating 200 yen properly and being at a loss as to which one to choose, here is the omikuji! ! Inside is one of the seven types of fortune slips and seven gold statues of the Seven Lucky Gods.

By the way, these are the Seven Lucky Gods

・"Hotei", the god of good luck, good relationships, and fertility
・"Ebisu", the god of prosperous business
・God of gaming "Bishamonten"
・God of learning and wealth "Benzaiten"
・"Fukurokuju", the god of good fortune and longevity
・God of good harvest "Daikokuten"
・"Jurojin", the god of longevity and happiness

Here is what I drew! It contained Benzaiten, the god of learning and wealth. This omikuji is so popular that many people come all the way from far away in search of it!

Receive benefits from the sashiri "Daikokuden"!

"Daikokuden" in the back of the main hall. There is "Osasuri Daikokuten" here, and it is said that by rubbing Daikokuten, you will receive blessings from the Buddha.

There are two Daikokuten, and you can stroke them. Stroke and rub while chanting the mantra "On maka karaya sowaka".

Omotesando around Toyokawa Inari is also recommended!

After leaving Toyokawa Inari, there is a spot called Omotesando. Lined with souvenir shops, shops where you can eat while walking, and shops lined with cute accessories and miscellaneous goods, it is a popular place for tourists.

The first thing I would like you to check out is the Kitsune Burger at Okitsune Honpo. It is one of the gourmet dishes that you definitely want to eat when you visit Toyokawa Inari.

This is the Okitsune Burger (320 yen). Crispy deep-fried tofu and crispy cutlet are a perfect match! Sales began in 2007, and it has become a specialty product with over 120,000 units sold.

[Okitsune Honpo]
Address: 1 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City
Phone number：0533-85-6922
Opening houe：10:00～17:00
Closed: No holidays in January, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from February to December
http://www.okitsune.net/index.html

When you think of Toyokawa Inari, you think of Inarizushi (a type of sushi with fried bean curd). At this "Raion", you can enjoy the "Kaiun Shichifukujin Inari Set (900 yen)".

Seven colors of Inarizushi are available: plain, ichimi, bamboo charcoal, brown sugar, yuzu, ume plum, and matcha! They are made to match the colors of the seven deities of good fortune, so they make great souvenirs.

[Raion]
Address: 10 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City
Phone number：0533-84-8148
Address：11:00〜16：00
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday

There are many other shops in Omotesando that sell Inari sushi, so it's fun to compare them!

This is the shop "ainowa" in Omotesando. The “Petite Ring of Happiness” (from 1,000 yen) made by an authentic jewelry craftsman is gaining popularity. After visiting Toyokawa Inari, it would be nice to have a petit ring made for you!

[ainowa]
Address: 31 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City
Phone number: 0533-56-9711
Business Hour：10：00〜19：00
Closed: Wednesday
http://ainowa.net

Along with the main shrine, Toyokawa Inari has various historical buildings and good luck spots, and there are many places to eat and shop in Omotesando around Toyokawa Inari. It is recommended not only for Hatsumode every year, but also for a day trip around Toyokawa Inari on holidays!

[Toyokawa Inari]
Address: 1 Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City
Phone number: 0533-85-2030
https://www.toyokawainari.jp

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