World Cultural Heritage ~ Ujigami Shrine

#100 Ways to Travel Kyoto trip~ "Wander through the lush green ancient capital and enjoy the beauty of the ancient capital's wabi-sabi" The stage for the 2024 NHK Taiga drama "To the Lord of Light" is in "Uji"! ! In addition to being the "Hometown of Matcha" and the World Cultural Heritage "Byodo-in", Uji also has the oldest shrine in Japan ⛩️ "Ujigami Shrine" which is also one of the must-visit attractions~ Let me tell you about it! ! A brief talk on history ~ The oldest shrine enshrines the first emperor who committed suicide ~ It was built in 313 and is dedicated to a deity named "Tadao Zhilangzi". It can mainly pray for "exams" and "safe childbirth". In Japan during the Heian period🇯🇵, there was an emperor named "Emperor Ogami" who had two sons named "Tadaichi Chiroko no Mikoto" and "Oikawa Mikoto". The former was the younger brother and the latter was the elder brother. Both heirs were humble. Wanting the other party to serve as emperor leaves Japan without a leader for a three-year window! After the request failed, the younger brother decided to commit suicide so that his elder brother could inherit the throne and become "Emperor Nintoku". The older brother built this shrine in memory of his younger brother. This is the origin of Ujigami Shrine ~ Important features of the shrine ⛩️: "Mainden": Built in the Kamakura period, it is a designated "National Cultural Property" of Japan. The temple is beautiful. Enshrined in the hall is the "Wooden Seated Statue of Todōjiroji no Mikoto", which is also one of the cultural properties. "Qing no sand": Located on the left and right sides of the shrine, it represents "yin and yang☯️". It is said that packing the sand into a small bag and taking it home can bring good luck and ward off evil. Goshu are sold on the side You can buy it anywhere~ "Kirihara Spring": one of the seven famous springs in Uji ancient times, and the only remaining spring. Visitors can use a ladle to wash their hands. Although the water quality is clear, there is still the possibility of some small mosquitoes in summer. Shrine staff do not recommend drinking it. 👀Must-see highlights: 1. Pay homage to "Tu Dao Zhi Lang Zi Ming": Couples can pray for a safe and smooth delivery, while children can pray for their studies. 2. The God’s Envoy Turns Back Rabbit🐰: According to legend, when the god of worship, Todachi Yoshiroko, got lost on the way from “Kawachi Country” (now east of Osaka) to Uji, a rabbit turned back and led the way, hence the name “The God’s Envoy”. The legend of "The Turning Rabbit" (God's Envoy's のみかえり兎). There is a special way of worshiping at Uji Shrine where this ancient legend is spread - first, write your wishes on a rabbit-e horse, then make a wish to the rabbit in front of the main shrine, and then circle the main shrine three times in a clockwise direction with the ema. . It is said that if three rabbits are found during this period, the wish will come true. 3. If you like the rabbit 🐰-shaped ema, the shape and the royal seal, buy it! ! Some styles are seasonal or daily limited. 4. Energy attractions: There is another place that cannot be missed when you come to Uji Shrine, and that is the place surrounded by trees on the right side of the main shrine. This is considered the energy spot of Uji Shrine, and you can feel the different atmospheres and the mysterious power of nature from the air. ✨Knowledge supplement: If all travelers are interested in or research Japanese literature, you should be familiar with the writer "Murasaki Shikibu". The most well-known work should be "The Tale of Genji", and the last ten chapters of the work are called " "Uji Ten Posts", so many travelers come here to visit one by one according to the chapters of "Uji Ten Posts" ~ If you are a history buff like me, you shouldn't miss it! ! 🕰️Business hours: 09:00-16:00 🚴Transportation: 【Departure from Kyoto Station】 JR "Kyoto Station" → (JR Nara Line about 17 minutes) → JR "Uji Station" → (About 10 minutes on foot) → Byodo-in Temple → Ujigami Shrine 【Departure from Osaka Station】 JR "Osaka Station" (JR Kyoto Line, about 27 minutes) JR "Kyoto Station" 1 (JR Nara Line about 17 minutes) → JR "Uji Station" → (about 10 minutes on foot) → Byodo-in Temple → Ujigami Shrine 【Departure from Nara Station】 JR "Kyoto Station" → (JR Nara Line about 31 minutes) → JR "Uji Station" → (About 10 minutes on foot) → Byodo-in Temple → Ujigami Shrine 🔔: It is recommended to purchase "Kansai Railway 🛤️ Free Pass" or "Kansai Wide Area Railway Free Pass" 🗓️Itinerary: Nakamura Tokichi - Byodo-in Temple - Uji Shrine ⛩️ - Ujigami Shrine ⛩️ (the oldest shrine in Japan is here) - The Tale of Genji Museum - Ito Kyuemon 📍Address: Japan〒611-0021 Kyoto, Uji, Yamada−５９ 💞Recommended reasons: 1. The oldest shrine 2. As long as it is a "World Cultural Heritage", I will definitely tell you to come and see it. 3. Rabbit🐰 is so cute~ Why don’t you come! ? 4. If you don’t want to go to Byodo-in Temple to see the crowded flowers, coming here is also a good choice! ! 5. This is the place where the Genji family developed and where the great writer Murasaki Shikibu lived. If you are interested in history, you can find many surprises here. #TravelKyoto #oldest shrine #Ujigamijinja Shrine #WorldCulturalHeritageSeries #HistoryLookingforRoots #purple-shikibu