Abe Oji-jinja Shrine

In short

A shrine situated facing the former Kumano Kaido road, considered the only Kumano Gongen Oji shrine remaining in Osaka Prefecture today. An "oji" is a subordinate shrine of the Kumano Sanzan, established along the road to Kumano for rest and remote prayer (yohai). It is also considered the clan deity shrine of the Abe clan, an ancient powerful clan that gave its name to the area of Abeno.

• ​The Route of Kumano Kaido​​: The road facing the shrine is the former Kumano Kaido, which connected Hachikenya in Osaka with the Kumano Sanzan in Kishu
• ​Giant Camphor Trees​​: Within the grounds, giant camphor trees aged 400 to 500 years spread their branches. The precincts are home to five camphor trees and one hackberry tree designated as preserved trees by Osaka Prefecture
• ​Faith in Warding Off Evil​​: A record remains that in the 3rd year of Tencho (826), Kobo Daishi performed prayers to quell severe epidemics, and the shrine is revered for its efficacy in warding off evil, granting good health, and healing illnesses

History and Highlights

​Abe Oji-jinja Shrine​ is a shrine situated facing the former Kumano Kaido road. It is considered the only Kumano Gongen Oji shrine remaining in Osaka Prefecture today. An "oji" refers to a subordinate shrine of the Kumano Sanzan, established along the road from Kyoto through Settsu and Izumi to Kumano for rest and remote prayer (yohai). The Kumano Pilgrimage flourished most from the Heian period to around the Muromachi period, and along the route, subordinate shrines known as the Kumano Kujuku Oji were established.

The shrine's own record of its origins, compiled in the 4th year of Shotoku (1714), places the shrine's founding in the reign of Emperor Nintoku. According to one theory, it is also said to have been founded by the Abe clan, who were based in this vicinity. The Abe clan was an ancient powerful clan that gave its name to the area of Abeno, and this shrine is considered their clan deity shrine. Later, as Kumano worship grew popular, being situated along the Kumano Kaido midway between Shitenno-ji Temple and Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine, it became the Kumano subordinate shrine "Abe no Oji." In the entry for the 6th day of the 10th month in the 1st year of Kennin (1201) in "Gotobain Kumano Gokoki" written by Fujiwara no Teika, it is recorded that he visited "Abeno Oji" and presented sacred offerings.

The enshrined deities are Izanagi no Okami, Izanami no Okami, Susanoo no Okami, and Hondawake no Okami.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​The Route of Kumano Kaido​​: The road facing the shrine is the former Kumano Kaido, once used for the round trip of the Kumano Pilgrimage. Connecting Hachikenya in Osaka with the Kumano Sanzan in Kishu, the Kumano Kaido, together with the Oji shrine, allows visitors to imagine the journey of the Kumano Pilgrimage.
• ​Giant Camphor Trees​​: Within the grounds, giant camphor trees aged 400 to 500 years spread their branches. The precincts are home to five camphor trees and one hackberry tree designated as preserved trees by Osaka Prefecture.
• ​Faith in Warding Off Evil​​: A record remains that in the 3rd year of Tencho (826), by order of Emperor Junna, Kobo Daishi performed prayers to quell severe epidemics. Because of this, it is revered for its efficacy in warding off evil, granting good health, and healing illnesses.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 5-minute walk southeast from Higashi-Tengachaya Station on the Hankai Tramway Uemachi Line. By Osaka City Bus, take the bus to "Ojimachi Oji-jinja-mae" and walk for about 1 minute; from Showacho Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, it takes about 15 minutes on foot. Right nearby is Abe no Seimei-jinja Shrine, a subordinate shrine of this shrine. Heading south along the Kumano Kaido and turning west at the first crossroads leads toward a hilly area around Abeno-jinja Shrine.