Koube-no-Miya Yomou Shrine

Koube-no-Miya Yomou Shrine, located in Taiki Town, Watarai District, Mie Prefecture, is a rare shrine in Japan dedicated to a guardian deity of the head, affectionately known as the shrine of the head. Its enshrined deity is Karahashi Chujo Mitsumori-kyo, regarded as a great god of wisdom. Said to have been founded in 1191, worshippers come from across the country praying for academic success and exam passes, as well as for the health of everything above the neck, such as relief from headaches and prevention of dementia.

Highlights

• Guardian Deity of the Head: Many exam takers and their families, and those wishing for wisdom, come to worship. Beyond academic improvement, exam success, and work fortune, along with head-related prayers, its rare blessings, said to be the only ones of their kind in Japan, are its appeal.
• Water of the Head (Water of Wisdom): A sacred spring called the water of the head wells up in the grounds, said to grant wisdom, and you can draw the water.
• The Head Stone and the Great Cedar: Sights where nature and faith harmonize are scattered about, such as the head stone that looks as if it has many faces, and the great cedar sacred tree towering in the grounds.

Enjoying the Seasons

A quiet shrine surrounded by mountain nature, where the fresh greenery of spring and the colorful foliage of autumn shine beautifully. From the exam season of winter into spring, worshippers praying for exam success increase. Its appeal is that you can worship calmly amid rich nature, listening to the murmur of the river.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 3314-2 Ouchiyama, Taiki Town, Watarai District, Mie Prefecture
• Access: About a 20-minute walk from Ouchiyama Station on the JR Kisei Main Line. By car, about 5 minutes from the Kisei-Ouchiyama Interchange on the Kisei Expressway.
• Hours: Grounds open freely (shrine office staffed during the day)
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

• Recommended Season and Time: For exam success prayers, the exam season from winter to spring. For quiet worship, a weekday daytime is best.
• Time Needed: About 30 minutes to one hour for worship and drawing water. Even including a goshuin seal or amulet, about one hour.
• Access Note: As limited express trains do not stop at Ouchiyama Station, check the timetable in advance and plan accordingly. Coming by car is convenient.
• Nearby Spots: Pairing it with Takihara-no-Miya, an auxiliary shrine of Ise Grand Shrine in Taiki Town, and sights around Taiki Town such as Ouchiyama milk products and an animal park makes for a fuller trip.
• Budget Sense: Worship is free. Even including a goshuin seal, amulets, and a nearby meal, it is easy to enjoy affordably.

A Quick Tip

This is a perfect shrine for those facing exams or qualification tests, and for those wishing for the health of their head. Do not forget to draw the water of the head, and a container to carry it home is handy. Touring it together with nearby shrines and temples such as Takihara-no-Miya, an auxiliary shrine of Ise Grand Shrine, makes for a fulfilling day of cleansing the mind and wisdom.

📚 Sources

Information published by Koube-no-Miya Yomou Shrine and guidance from the Taiki Town Tourism Association are helpful for the enshrined deity, the Koube-no-Mizu sacred water, and worship. Since Ouchiyama Station is not served by limited express trains, rail times can be checked through the operator’s public information.

Reception hours at the shrine office and the frequency of public transport can change. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please confirm with official sources before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour for worship and drawing water; roughly an hour even including a red seal and amulets.
• What to bring: A container to carry water home is handy for the Koube-no-Mizu sacred water; check timetables, as Ouchiyama Station is not served by limited express trains.
• Suggested route: Worship the main hall, draw the Koube-no-Mizu water, and view the Koube-no-Ishi rock and the great cedar; it combines with the Taiki Town area including Ise Jingu’s auxiliary Takihara-no-Miya.