Morooka Kumano Jinja

Located near Okurayama in Kohoku Ward of Yokohama, Morooka Kumano Jinja is an old shrine said to have been founded in 724. Regarded as a base of Kumano faith in the Kanto region, and as the guardian shrine of northern Yokohama, it has long drawn deep reverence. In the Heian period it is said to have received from an imperial envoy the tablet naming it the foremost great sacred site of Kanto. Its lush grounds are wrapped in stillness despite sitting in a busy urban area, and visitors come seeking blessings of victory, career fortune, and good health. The legends of the I-no-ike pond before the shrine and the No-no-ike pond behind the main hall lend the place a mystical air.

Highlights

• A venerable guardian shrine regarded as a base of Kumano faith in Kanto, said to have received the foremost of Kanto tablet
• Two sacred ponds, the I-no-ike before the shrine and the No-no-ike behind the main hall
• The three-legged crow (yatagarasu), the divine messenger of Kumano, as its shrine crest; echoing the symbol of the Japan Football Association, it is cherished by football fans as well

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the trees on the grounds bud, and early summer brings lush green that carries coolness. In autumn the trees take on color, spreading a calm scene that hardly feels urban. Every January 14, the Tsutsugayu ritual, a Yokohama-designated intangible folk cultural property said to have continued since 949, is held to divine the years harvest and fortunes.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 1137 Morooka-cho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Access: About 8 minutes on foot from Okurayama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line
• Hours: The grounds are open during the day (amulet office during the day)
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: A daytime visit in the greenery of early summer or the foliage of autumn is comfortable. To experience a traditional rite, the time of the Tsutsugayu ritual on January 14 is a highlight
• Time needed: About 20 to 30 minutes for the visit and a stroll around the two ponds
• Avoiding crowds: The New Year and festival times draw local visitors, so weekdays and mornings are calmer for a quiet visit
• Nearby real spots: The Okurayama Memorial Hall and the plum-famous Okurayama Park (plum grove) are close by, with easy access toward Tsunashima and Hiyoshi
• Budget: The visit is free. Amulets and goshuin stamps featuring the three-legged crow run from a few hundred to around a thousand yen

A Quick Tip

Since it is within walking distance of Okurayama Station, it is easy to drop by while strolling the town or viewing the plums at Okurayama Park. Learning the lore of the I-no-ike and No-no-ike ponds before you visit makes a walk through the grounds all the more meaningful. In keeping with its three-legged crow crest, this is a shrine to recommend to anyone facing an important challenge or dedicated to sports.

📚 Sources

This information is based on public materials from local governments such as Yokohama City and tourism associations, on the shrine's public information, and on on-site guidance and history notices. Festival and ritual periods are crowded, and amulet-office hours can change with the season. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please check official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 20 to 30 minutes to worship and stroll the two ponds
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes; some small cash if you receive amulets or seals
• Suggested route: Worship at the Ino-ike and Nono-ike ponds and the hall mentioned in the article, and stroll together with nearby Okurayama Memorial Hall and Okurayama Park (the plum grove)
• Access: About 8 minutes on foot from Okurayama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko line
• Budget: Worship is free; amulets and seals run a few hundred to around a thousand yen