Tsukiyomi-jinja Shrine

In short

Tsukiyomi-jinja Shrine is an auxiliary shrine of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine, nestled at the southern foot of Mount Matsunoo, and its enshrined deity is Tsukiyomi no Mikoto. According to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), it began with an oracle from the moon god in the third year of Emperor Kenzo's reign (487), and in 856 (Saiko 3) it was relocated to its current site to avoid the danger of flood damage from the Katsura River.

• ​Tsukinobe-ishi Stone for Safe Childbirth​​: Tradition states that, following an oracle from Tsukiyomi no Mikoto, Emperor Jomei obtained the stone with which Empress Jingu had a safe delivery and dedicated it here. Prayers for safe delivery are held on the Day of the Dog
• ​Mifune-sha Shrine​​: A subordinate shrine dedicated to Amenotorifune no Kami. Before the Shinkosai Festival of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine, a ritual is held here to pray for the safety of the mikoshi (portable shrine) procession along the way
• ​Shotoku Taishi-sha Shrine and Kaiwai no Mizu​​: There is a shrine said to venerate Prince Shotoku to honor his virtues, as well as the sacred water known as Kaiwai no Mizu

History and Highlights

​Tsukiyomi-jinja Shrine​ is an auxiliary shrine of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine, nestled at the southern foot of Mount Matsunoo, approximately 400 meters south of the Great Torii Gate of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine. The enshrined deity is Tsukiyomi no Mikoto. According to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), in the third year of Emperor Kenzo's reign (487), Ahe no Omi Kotoshiro, who was to be dispatched to Mimana, received an oracle from the moon god. When Kotoshiro returned to the capital and reported this to the emperor, the imperial court offered land in Utaarasuda, Kadono District, Yamashiro Province to the deity, and Oshimi no Sukune of Iki, who claimed to be a descendant of the moon god, built a shrine and served there. This marked the beginning of Tsukiyomi-jinja Shrine. Later, in the third year of the Saiko era (856), it was relocated to its current site to avoid the danger of flood damage from the Katsura River. Although it is a prestigious shrine ranked as a Myojin Taisha in the Engishiki records, it has long been regarded as an auxiliary shrine of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine because it lies within the Matsunoo-taisha Shrine's sphere of influence.

Points for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Tsukinobe-ishi Stone for Safe Childbirth​​: The Tsukinobe-ishi Stone on the shrine grounds is also called the "safe childbirth stone." Tradition states that Empress Jingu caressed this stone against her belly in Tsukushi to ensure a safe delivery, and Emperor Jomei later obtained it following an oracle from Tsukiyomi no Mikoto and dedicated it to this shrine. As a shrine providing protection for safe childbirth, prayers for safe delivery are held on the Day of the Dog. Following the prayer, worshippers offer a prayer stone inscribed with their name in front of the Tsukinobe-ishi Stone to pay their respects.
• ​Mifune-sha Shrine​​: A subordinate shrine dedicated to Amenotorifune no Kami. Every year, before the Shinkosai Festival of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine, a ritual is held here to pray for the safety of the mikoshi (portable shrine) procession along the way.
• ​Shotoku Taishi-sha Shrine and Kaiwai no Mizu​​: The Shotoku Taishi-sha Shrine is said to venerate Prince Shotoku to honor his virtues, as he revered and worshipped Tsukiyomi no Mikoto. The shrine grounds also feature the sacred water known as Kaiwai no Mizu.

Travel Tips

The nearest station is Matsuo-taisha Station on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line, and the shrine is reached by walking about 400 meters south from the Great Torii Gate of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine. It can easily be visited in conjunction with Matsunoo-taisha Shrine. Continuing south, Suzumushi-dera Temple is about 300 meters away, and Saiho-ji Temple is about 500 meters away, making this a convenient spot to visit while exploring the temples and shrines south of Matsunoo.