Located in proximity to a number of schools in the area, Momoyama Tenmangu Shrine is a place where residents pray for educational success.
Tenmangu is a category of Shinto shrines that is dedicated to honoring the great poet of the Heian era Sugawara no Michizane, who is now considered to be the god of academic education and higher learning in Japan.
Momoyama Tenmangu Shrine is located in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto and has become a popular place for local residents and school students to pray for academic and career success.
The Iconic Yellow Tree
As a foreign visitor, I was totally unaware of the cultural significance of this shrine, but I absolutely enjoyed the sights!
The largest autumn tree I’d ever seen stood strong and firm at the side of the shrine’s torii gate, and the surrounding gardens were well-kept and aesthetically pleasing.
I did notice a few school students walking in and out of the Momoyama Tenmangu Shrine but didn’t think much of it.
In retrospect (and after much research), it’s apparent that they were praying for success in their educational endeavors, likely in anticipation of an upcoming exam.
A Fun-Size Fushimi Inari-Taisha?
As I mentioned, this shrine is located in the Fushimi ward, and if you’re familiar with popular Japanese tourist destinations, then a particular “fox god” shrine may come to mind.
The Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine is located in the heart of Kyoto’s Fushimi ward and honors Inari, the god of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, and sake.
The vermilion-colored torii gates symbolize an amulet against evil as well as the color of the foxes which are believed to be the messengers of the deity Inari, delivering prosperity and abundance to the people.
What’s amazing about Momoyama Tenmangu Shrine is that you can see some of these iconic vermilion torii gates that the Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine is so well-known for!
Sip & Reflect
Indeed, this shrine is a “double-whammy” of blessings for believers of Shintoism, allowing you to pray for prosperity in both education and life in general.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a believer of Shintoism to visit shrines like these as they are open to the public!
I took the opportunity to reflect on life in my own way and enjoy a nice hot beverage from the shrine’s vending machine.
No matter where you come from in the big wide world and regardless of your cultural upbringing, a degree of spirituality can always help us in our daily endeavors!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
