Japanese Insight

• The Main Hall (Hondo): The heart of the temple. This is the primary spot to pray for "Shogan Joju" the fulfillment of your deepest heartfelt wishes.

• The Healing Smoke (Jokoro): You’ll see a large incense burner in front of the hall. It is said that bathing yourself in this smoke can heal ailments and improve your health.

• The Giant Straw Sandals (O-waraji): These massive sandals represent the immense power of the Nio guardian gods who protect the temple, acting as a powerful charm to ward off evil.

• Test Your Luck: Don't miss the Omikuji (fortune-telling paper). The instructions and results are also written in English, so you can easily see what your future holds!

  Tie it to the rack only if you have "bad luck" (local rules fro Omikuji)

• Not many Japanese know that the dragon god is hidden right under the lantern!

• Pro Tip: It’s almost always crowded, but for a peaceful experience, try visiting on a weekday morning.　The crowded photo is January 1st. 40min to just get inside!