Morooka Kumano Jinja

Located near Okurayama in Kohoku Ward of Yokohama, Morooka Kumano Jinja is an old shrine 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. 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 I-no-ike pond before the shrine carries the legend of the one-eyed carp, in which a carp offered one of its eyes to the deity who had lost an eye while defeating evildoers, lending the place a mystical air.

Highlights

- A venerable guardian shrine regarded as a base of Kumano faith in Kanto - The I-no-ike pond before the shrine, where the legend of the one-eyed carp lives on - The No-no-ike pond on the hill behind the main hall and the lush grounds

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. The New Year and festival seasons fill the grounds with local people, where you can feel the warmth of a faith rooted in the lives of northern Yokohama.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: 1137 Morooka-cho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture - Access: About 7 minutes on foot from Okurayama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line - Hours: Grounds open freely (shrine office 8:30 to 17:00) - Admission: Free

A Quick Tip

Since it is within walking distance of Okurayama Station, it is easy to drop by while strolling the town. Learning the legends of the I-no-ike and No-no-ike ponds before you visit makes a walk through the grounds all the more meaningful. This is a shrine to recommend to anyone facing an important challenge.