Kifune Jinja Okumiya

Okumiya was originally the main shrine of Kifune and is known as the spiritual spot for a harmonious marriage. Lying right in front of the shrine are two cedar trees that are called the “Aioi no Sugi,” which have been growing side by side for over 1000 years. Beyond the Aioi no Sugi and over the Omoi river is the place where the great Heian poet Izumi Shikibu purified herself before praying. There is also another rare natural sight in from Okumiya: a cedar and a maple tree that have overlapped one another as they’ve grown, as if they were a couple embracing. The pairing of the two species is said to be unusual and believed to represent intimacy.
In Okumiya, there is a water well called the Well of Three Dragons under the main hall where the Dragon God resides. The spacious premises are surrounded by large old trees and the air itself feels sacred. You’ll feel as if you’re sharing the space with a strong spiritual presence.
Upon entering Okumiya, you’ll see the Funagata-Ishi (Boat Shaped Stone) on the left side. This stone symbolizes the arrival of the Goddess Tamayori Hime no mikoto. She arrived on a boat called Kifune and the pile of small stones marks where the boat was hidden. It is from the name of her vessel that the shrine takes its name.

The changing of the colors in the fall here is divine and there is a special lumination night tour only available when it snows. Another fun fact is that this very shrine is where the Japanese phrase “ushi no toki mairi” comes from. It refers to visiting a shrine in the dead of night in order to place a curse on someone. To avoid accidentally cursing someone, let’s remember to visit the shrine with positive energy and leave with good intentions of gratitude.