Imamiya Shrine

Imamiya Shrine, located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, is an ancient shrine said to have been founded in the Heian period to quell epidemics. Because Otama-no-Kata (Keishoin), the mother of the fifth Edo shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, rose from being a greengrocer's daughter to the mother of a shogun, it is beloved as the "Tama-no-Koshi shrine" for blessings of good fortune in marriage and in life.

Highlights

• Blessing of Tama-no-Koshi: From the tale of a low-born woman who seized good fortune, it is popular among women wishing for a good match or advancement in life. The "Tama-no-Koshi amulet" is also well regarded.
• Ahokashi-san: A sacred stone also called the "divination stone." It is said that if you tap it lightly and lift it, then stroke it with a wish and lift it again, your wish will come true if it feels lighter.
• Famous Aburi-mochi: On the approach before the east gate, long-established aburi-mochi shops line up facing each other. Bite-sized mochi coated with roasted soybean flour, grilled over charcoal and served with a white-miso sauce, has a rustic flavor that is one of the pleasures of a visit.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring, the cherry blossoms in the grounds and surroundings, and in autumn the foliage, are beautiful, allowing for worship amid a calm atmosphere. In April the Yasurai Festival, praying to dispel epidemics, is held, known as one of Kyoto's three eccentric festivals. Its hidden-gem atmosphere, allowing relatively relaxed worship year-round, is also an appeal.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 21 Murasakino-Imamiya-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
• Access: Just outside the Imamiya-jinja-mae city bus stop, or a few minutes by city bus from Kitaoji Station on the Subway Karasuma Line
• Hours: Grounds open freely (shrine office staffed during the day)
• Admission: Free
• Parking: Visitor parking available (such as when using the aburi-mochi shops)

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: The grounds are compact, taking about 30 minutes even at a leisurely pace. Including time to enjoy aburi-mochi, you can experience it in about an hour.
• Tama-no-Koshi amulet: A popular offering for those wishing for a good match or good fortune. Drop by within the shrine office's reception hours.
• Aburi-mochi shops: Two long-established shops face each other before the east gate, each preserving its own distinct taste. Some have regular closing days, so check in advance if you have a favorite in mind.
• Nearby spots: Walking north leads to the vast sub-temple complex of Daitokuji, and to the south spreads the townscape of Nishijin, making it easy to combine with a calm stroll around the Murasakino area.

A Quick Tip

If you wish for good fortune in marriage or life, be sure to try the Tama-no-Koshi amulet and the Ahokashi-san wish. After worship, enjoying the aburi-mochi before the east gate is the standard course. Touring it together with nearby Daitokuji to enjoy a quiet walk around the Murasakino area is also recommended. On weekends the aburi-mochi shops along the approach get crowded, so allow plenty of time.

📚 Sources

This article is based on publicly available information such as the official website of Imamiya Shrine, tourism guidance published by the Kyoto City Tourism Association, and on-site history boards and signage. The origin of the tamanokoshi good-fortune tradition, the Ahokashi-san divination stone, and the local aburimochi rice cakes are described according to such public sources. Reception hours at the shrine office and the closing days of the aburimochi shops may change, so please confirm with the official information from Imamiya Shrine and each shop before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: The grounds are compact. Allow about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace, or around an hour including time to enjoy the aburimochi.
• What to bring: Charms such as the tamanokoshi good-fortune amulet must be received during the shrine office hours, so a daytime visit is recommended.
• If the aburimochi is your goal: The two long-established shops in front of the east gate have closing days, so it is safer to check in advance.
• Suggested route: Worship at the main hall, make a wish at the Ahokashi-san stone, and finish with the aburimochi in front of the east gate.
• Nearby: Combine your visit with the sub-temples of Daitokuji to the north and the Nishijin townscape to the south for a relaxed walk around the Murasakino area.