Imamiya Shrine, Aburi Mochi

The information about Imamiya Shrine is presented here. The specialty of Imamiya Shrine is Aburi Mochi. Aburi Mochi was made from thumb-sized mochi sprinkled with soybean flour, threaded onto bamboo skewers, grilled over charcoal, and dipped in white miso sauce. Aburi Mochi is sold by “Ichiwa (Ichimonjiya Wasuke)”, which is said to have a history of 1,000 years, and “Kazariya”, which is said to have a history of over 300 years. Aburi Mochi is said to have originated at Koryu-ji Temple. It is said that Aburi Mochi was served to the common people at Imamiya Shrine during the Onin War (1467-1477) and the famine.

• Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions
• Shrine History
• Shrine Highlights

【Imamiya Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 21 Shino Imamiya-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Imamiyajinja-mae bus stop (about 1 minutes on foot), Funaokayama bus stop (about 7 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: free worship at any time
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Free

【Imamiya Shrine History】

The site where Imamiya Shrine (今宮神社) is built was the site of a shrine (Eyamisha Shrine) dedicated to Ekijin Susano to quell the plague before the capital was moved to Heian-kyo by the 50th emperor Kanmu in 794. In addition, it is said that the god of Atago Shrine, which was enshrined in Takagamine, Otagi District, was the god who controlled Ekijin Susano, and in 781, when the Keishun-sozu and Wake no Kiyomaro moved Atago Shrine to the top of Mt. Atago-san at an altitude of about 924 meters as the protective god of the royal castle, the spirits were solicited and enshrined as the Wakamiya god in Eyamisha Shrine. In June 994, a plague broke out, and Shino Goryo-e, which is said to be the origin of the Imamiya Shrine and Imamiya Matsuri (festival), was held in order to pray for the dissipation of the evil plague. At Shino Goryoe, two mikoshi (portable shrines) were built, Ekijin Susano was transferred to two mikoshi, and two mikoshi were enshrined on Mt. Funaoka-yama, about 111.7 meters above sea level. It is said that men and women of all ages in Kyoto climbed up to Mt. Funaoka-yama with two mikoshi (portable shrines), decorated with aya-kasa (umbrella) with elegance, sang and danced to the music, and floated the hitogata that attracted the sick and evil into Osaka Bay. It is said that this was the origin of Yasurai Matsuri (festival). Incidentally, after the capital was moved to Heian-kyo, plagues and disasters often occurred, so Goryo-e was often held at Shinsen-en, Kami Goryo Shrine, Shimo Goryo Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, etc. Gion Goryo-e is the origin of Gion Matsuri (festival). In 1001, the plague broke out again, and Goryo-e was held again, and Ekijin Susano was moved from Mt. Funaoka-yama to its present location. Three new shrine buildings were constructed, and the deity was enshrined as Ohonamuchi-no-mikoto, Kotoshironushi-no-mikoto, and Kushinadahime-no-mikoto, and the shrine was named Imamiya Shrine. Since its establishment, Imamiya Shrine has been revered by the imperial court, the people, and the samurai family. It is said that Ichiwa (Ichimonjiya Wasuke) was founded around 1002. In 1154, Yasurai Matsuri (festival) was banned by imperial order because the costumes had become extravagant. In 1212, Shino Saiin (Kamoi Saiin) was abolished, and the spirits of successive Saio were enshrined in Wakamiya Shrine of Imamiya Shrine, which has a history with Shino Saiin. It is said that in 1279, Imamiya Shrine was elevated to the rank of junii, and in 1284, Imamiya Shrine was elevated to the rank of shoichii. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Onin War (1467-1477) occurred, and the shrine buildings were destroyed by military fire. In 1496, the shrine buildings were rebuilt by Ashikaga Yoshihisa, the 9th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. In 1525, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, the 12th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, rebuilt mikoshi (portable shrine) and in 1544, he restored the shrine buildings. In 1593, Toyotomi Hideyoshi rebuilt Otabisho and donated one mikoshi (portable shrine). During the Edo period (1603-1868), the shrine’s territory of 100 koku was recognized. It is said that Kazariya was founded in the early Edo period. In 1694, Keishoin, the birth mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th shogun of the Edo shogunate, built the shrine buildings and donated gissha (ox cart) and hoko. In 1795, a Noh stage was completed at Otabisho and Noh performances were held in the fall, but ceased after the 1970s due to the decline of the textile industry after World War II. In 1868, Imamiya Shrine was listed as a go-sha, and in June 1881, Imamiya Shrine was listed as a fu-sha. The shrine buildings burned down in 1896, but were rebuilt in 1902.
*reference・・・Imamiya Shrine website

【Imamiya Shrine Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Honden (main shrine, 本殿) was rebuilt in 1902. Honden enshrines Ohonamuchi-no-mikoto in the naka-goza, Kotoshironushi-no-mikoto in the higashi-goza, and Kushinadahime-no-mikoto in the nishi-goza.
★Haiden (拝殿) was rebuilt in 1694 by Keishoin, the birth mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th shogun of the Edo shogunate, and renovated in 1846. Sanjuroku-kasen made of nishijin-ori are hung at the top of the Haiden. The three mikoshi (portable shrines) that are carried during Imamiya Matsuri in May are taken out of the mikoshi storage and placed in Haiden.
★Rou-mon (Rou-mon Gate, 楼門) was built in 1926. Rou-mon is the main gate located on the south side of the temple grounds.
★Ahokashi (stone) has also been called “Kamiura-ishi” and “Imamiya-no-kimyo” since ancient times. It is said that if you pray wholeheartedly for recovery from illness and lightly stroke Ahokashi with your hand and then rub the sick part of your body, you will recover quickly. Ahokashi is also called “Omokaru-ishi”. Slap Ahokashi lightly with the palm of your hand three times and lift Ahokashi up, then make a wish and slap Ahokashi three times with the palm of your hand before lifting Ahokashi up. If you feel Ahokashi become lighter, your wish is said to have come true.
今宮神社見どころ (Imamiya Shrine Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Yasurai Matsuri (やすらい祭) is held every year on the second Sunday of April. Red-haired and black-haired demons dance with their long hair to the accompaniment of taiko (drums), kane (gongs), and fue (flutes), and Ekijin is attracted to the red hana-gasa (flower umbrellas) , and are then subdued at Eyamisha Shrine to pray for a year of good health.
今宮神社やすらい祭
★In Imamiya Matsuri (今宮祭), Sinkosai is held every year on May 5, and Kankosai is held on a Sunday near May 15. During Sinkosai, led by kuruma-daiko (drum), ken-hoko (sword-shaped floats), yaotome, ox cart, and three mikoshi (portable shrines) parade through the shrine parishioners’ district, and three mikoshi (saki-mikoshi, naka-mikoshi, and omiya-mikoshi) are parked at Otabisho.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is around early April. Yae Beni Shidare-zakura is planted in front of Honden, and Somei Yoshino is planted in front of Eyamisha Shrine, and it is said that the scenery of the cherry blossoms, Honden, and Eyamisha Shrine is beautiful. Kanhi-zakura, Sato-zakura, Yama-zakura, Gyoiko and Kanzan are also planted.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-491-0082

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Imamiya Shrine is to go to Kinkaku-ji Temple via Daitoku-ji Temple. Kinkaku-ji Temple has the Golden Pavilion, which is popular both in Japan and abroad, and the Golden Pavilion is said to be beautifully built beside a pond.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Imamiya Shrine, be sure to check the latest information.