Takaoshihime Shrine

In Masaki, Iyo District, Ehime, Takaoshihime Shrine is the only shrine in all of Japan to enshrine the deity Takaoshihime-no-Okami. Long honored as the ancestral deity of midwives and wet nurses, it still draws reverence from midwives across the country. Said to be the oldest shrine in Japan for prayers for safe childbirth, it has been cherished as a deity of safe birth, child-rearing, matchmaking, fertility, warding off misfortune, and good fortune. Its appeal lies in a history rich with myth and the solemn air woven by the great camphor tree in its grounds.

Highlights

• A shrine of deep history, the only one enshrining the deity Takaoshihime. Because of its faith as the ancestral deity of midwives and wet nurses, people connected with childbirth still come to worship without pause.
• A great camphor said to be about a thousand years old, with a guardian earth deity at its base said to bless matchmaking and fertility.
• The joined branch on the north side of the main hall, where two camphor trees are linked by a single branch, a symbol of a loving couple. People wishing for marital harmony and good bonds join their hands here.

Enjoying the Seasons

People come throughout the year to pray for safe birth and good bonds. In spring the greenery of the grounds buds out, and in summer the shade of the great camphor is cool. From autumn into winter you can worship quietly in the clear air. Time spent before the joined branch and the earth deity, wishing for good bonds and children, becomes a truly special moment. On the traditional dog days of the calendar you will often see families arriving to pray for safe birth.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Masaki, Iyo District, Ehime
• Access: Within walking distance of Kita-Iyo Station on the Iyotetsu line, and comfortably reached by car from central Matsuyama.
• Parking: There is a lot for worshippers.
• Visiting: The grounds are freely open. Prayers such as those for safe birth are received at the shrine office.

Practical Travel Notes

• If you wish to have a safe-birth prayer, check the prayer reception hours and the offering fee with the shrine office in advance to make the day go smoothly. There is also a custom of bringing a maternity sash to be blessed during the prayer.
• The grounds are fairly compact, and even a leisurely round of the great camphor, the joined branch, and the earth deity takes about 30 minutes, an easy stop on a Matsuyama itinerary.
• Around the great camphor, roots protrude above the ground in places. Watch your footing and view quietly so as not to harm the tree.
• Masaki is a town along the Seto Inland Sea, and there are shops nearby serving local dishes. Pairing your visit with local food is a fine idea.

A Quick Tip

The shrine is especially popular with those praying for safe birth and good bonds. Be sure to take your time before the thousand-year camphor and the joined branch to feel their vital power. If you want a formal prayer, arriving with time to spare before the reception closes is the safe approach.

📚 Sources

The information here is based mainly on the public guidance from Masaki town, its tourism association, and the shrine office of Takaoshihime Shrine. The origin as the only shrine enshrining Takaoshihime-no-Okami, the information for the roughly 1,000-year-old great camphor tree, the Ubusuna-sama, and the joined-branch tree, and on-site origin records are also useful references. While the grounds are freely open, prayer reception hours and offering fees may change, so please confirm with the shrine office before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time needed: About 30 minutes even for an unhurried visit around the great camphor tree, the joined-branch tree, and the Ubusuna-sama; a size easy to fit into Matsuyama sightseeing.
• What to bring: If you want a prayer such as for safe childbirth, confirm the reception hours and offering fee with the shrine office in advance, and note the custom of bringing a maternity sash. Cash is reassuring for amulets.
• Suggested route: Walk from Kita-Iyo Station, pray at the main hall, then visit the roughly 1,000-year-old great camphor tree, the Ubusuna-sama, and the joined-branch tree. Close to central Matsuyama, it fits easily into a day of city sightseeing.