About Okuni Jinja
The kami venerated at this jinja weaves good connections between all things, not just human beings, into the tapestry of life.
He oversees good love and marriage matches (enmusubi, 縁結び), protection from misfortune (yakuyoke, 厄除け), and the fulfilment of the heart's desire (shingan-jōju, 心願成就).
Okuni Jinja is the primary jinja ("Ichinomiya") of the ancient Tōtōmi Province, located in the western part of modern Shizuoka Prefecture. The pure waters of the Miya River flow through the precincts of the jinja from the sacred mountain.
The kami of the jinja, Ōnamuchi-no-mikoto, is also known as Daikoku-sama. He is the hero of a popular Japanese legend dating back to the earliest times, in which he saves a badly injured white rabbit, and is thus famous for his kind heart.
In the 1,400 years and more since it was founded, Okuni Jinja has been deeply revered by many warrior lords, including the founder of the shogunate that ruled Japan until the mid-nineteenth century, Ieyasu Tokugawa. At the same time, it has been venerated by local people as the guardian of Tōtōmi, the site of prayers for the flourishing of their community, the success of all kinds of projects, business prosperity, and domestic happiness.
Kotomatchi-no-Ike
In recent years, Okuni Jinja has become widely known as a jinja where prayers are answered. The kami is also particularly revered for aid in finding a good love and marriage match, averting misfortune, fulfilling wishes, and ensuring traffic safety.
The grounds of the jinja include the great sacred tree "Hyōnoki", and the pure waters of "Kotomachi-no-ike" pool. Hyōnoki is said to have the power to find good matches in love and marriage, while "Kotomachi" means "waiting for a wish to be fulfilled". Today, as in the past, people visit both places to offer their prayers.
Hyōnoki
(Distylium racemosum)
Ancient Forest
Okuni Jinja has great beauty in every season. The vast sacred area is surrounded by an ancient forest of giant cedar and cypress trees, and flowers bloom throughout the year. About 1,000 large and small maple trees line both sides of the Miya River, forming the best area for walking in the Jinja grounds.
From May to August, the time for new leaves on the trees, the color of these leaves is a beautiful bright green (known as "Ao-momiji"). From mid-November to early December, the color of these leaves changes to a magnificent deep red (Kōyō). The view of the landscape in these two seasons is breathtaking. In addition, the "Ichinomiya Iris Garden" opens every June, adding color to the rainy season.
Enfolded in the ancient forest, leave your everyday worries behind and breathe in harmony with the majesty of nature.
Miya River
Traditional Culture
Ceremonies and rituals are held in every season of the year to offer thanks and prayers to the kami.
These include a sequence of twelve dances in honour of the kami, the Jūnidan-bugaku, that date back to the seventh century, and a performance to pray for a good rice harvest, the Taasobi-sai, that dates back to the thirteenth. These are both recognised as worthy of preservation by the Japanese government, and are representative of the high cultural value of the traditions passed on at Okuni Jinja.
Jūnidan-bugaku
Okuni Jinja is located in Mori-machi, known as the "Little Kyoto of Enshū". Several jinja and temples with long histories are found in this area. The culture of the town has been shaped by the sacred dances and festivals that have been passed down here through a tradition of respect for the kami.
A Little Kyoto of Enshu – Mori-machi −
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Located roughly halfway between Tokyo and Osaka, the area is well-served by the Shin-Tōmei Expressway, the shinkansen bullet train, and Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport, making it convenient for visitors from all over Japan.
We all look forward to welcoming you to the jinja.