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Kumano Taisha Shrine: Find the 3 Rabbits at Tohoku’s Power Spot for Love and Relationships!

Kumano Taisha Shrine: Find the 3 Rabbits at Tohoku’s Power Spot for Love and Relationships!

Last updated: 9 February 2021

Often called the “Ise of Tohoku”, Kumano Taisha Shrine is in Nanyō City in Yamagata Prefecture, in grape cultivating country. Well-known for housing a god of love and relationships, Kumano Taisha Shrine is the site of Japan’s first proposal story, and a legend of three special rabbits continues to linger here.

Besides this, in mid-November every year, a large ginkgo tree, symbolic of the shrine, becomes colored in beautiful autumn foliage and is a real crowd-drawer.

This is the power spot at the forefront of Tohoku, and is a must-visit Tohoku destination at least once in your life!

Table of Contents
  1. Kumano Taisha Shrine: One of three Kumano shrines in Japan, with a history dating back over 1,200 years
  2. A magnificent worship hall using building techniques passed down from ancient Japan
  3. The first exchange of proposals in Japan
  4. You’ll get good luck in relationships if you can find all three rabbits!
  5. Adorable omamori charms that are almost impossible to choose from
  6. Take a breather at a café where you can enjoy views of the giant ginkgo tree
  7. Meet the white rabbit station master!

Kumano Taisha Shrine: One of three Kumano shrines in Japan, with a history dating back over 1,200 years

Located fifteen minutes away from Akayu Station on the JR Ōu Main line by train, Kumano Taisha shrine, along with Wakayama Prefecture’s Kumano Sanzan shrine, and Kumano Kotai Jinja shrine located in between Nagano and Gunma prefectures, the three shrines make up the three great Kumano shrines of Japan.

One of the most historic shrines in Tohoku, the shrine was rebuilt in 806 under the orders of the emperor Heizei, and is home to important historical and cultural relics such as the Honzon Buddha of the Heian era, the mask of Raryōwau from the Kamakura era, and a lion head from the Muromachi era.

A year-end festival is held over New Year every year, and about 60,000 people make their first shrine visit of the year there during that time.

▲The first thing to greet you is this gigantic stone torii gate.
▲The first thing to greet you is this gigantic stone torii gate.

As you pass through the stone torii gate, about 100 meters down a pretty stone staircase, you’ll be greeted by a gigantic ginkgo tree. The tree was planted at the behest of Minamoto-no-Yoshiie, and are about 900 years old. It’s designated as a natural memorial of Yamagata prefecture, and is the symbol of Kumano Taisha shrine.

▲As you approach the shrine along its main path, you can see an overwhelmingly large tree to the right, with a height of thirty meters and a 7.7-meter circumference. (Photo taken in mid-November)
▲As you approach the shrine along its main path, you can see an overwhelmingly large tree to the right, with a height of thirty meters and a 7.7-meter circumference. (Photo taken in mid-November)
▲When compared to the people walking underneath it, you begin to understand just how massive the tree is.
▲When compared to the people walking underneath it, you begin to understand just how massive the tree is.
▲Tucked away from the main path to the shrine, facing the large ginkgo tree, is a “Temizusha”, a fountain for cleansing your hands. Cleanse your soul, and enter the main shrine.
▲Tucked away from the main path to the shrine, facing the large ginkgo tree, is a “Temizusha”, a fountain for cleansing your hands. Cleanse your soul, and enter the main shrine.

From here, climb the stone staircase called “Omisaka”, and head towards the worship hall.

▲The staircase is easy to climb, with just 47 steps.
▲The staircase is easy to climb, with just 47 steps.
▲Once you’ve scaled the steps, you can see the worship hall right ahead.
▲Once you’ve scaled the steps, you can see the worship hall right ahead.
▲Coupled with vivid vermillion fixtures, the worship hall is enveloped in a divine atmosphere.
▲Coupled with vivid vermillion fixtures, the worship hall is enveloped in a divine atmosphere.

This time, we had shrine attendant Komura Kenichi to show us around the worship hall and its surroundings.

▲Komura explained things in a very easy to understand manner.
▲Komura explained things in a very easy to understand manner.

A magnificent worship hall using building techniques passed down from ancient Japan

We were first given a tour of the worship hall, which is a designated cultural artifact of Yamagata Prefecture. When the roof was renovated in 2008, an old text dating back to 787 was discovered.

The hall has been in its current form since the Edo period, over 230 years ago. However, as the wood used during its construction is found to be older than the Edo period, there is speculation that the current structure dates to much further back.

▲The oldest thatched roof in the prefecture.
▲The oldest thatched roof in the prefecture.

Atop the thatching of the hipped roof, there is a triangular-shaped portion called the chidori-hafu, and jutting out from it is a single beam, called the kazuru-hafu. Underneath the beam is the roof of the kouhai, where worshippers can make their prayers, and in the center of it is the kara-hafu, which features decorations and carvings in the curved space.

▲Magnificent carvings are featured everywhere. Right in the center is a phoenix in flight!
▲Magnificent carvings are featured everywhere. Right in the center is a phoenix in flight!

From here, we head to the center of the worship hall. Giant lanterns adorn the inside of the hall, and you can feel the rich and long history of the shrine in this space. As you are enveloped in the silence of the hall, you can experience the calming atmosphere of the place.

▲Gigantic lanterns offered up by worshippers.
▲Gigantic lanterns offered up by worshippers.
▲The worship hall can accommodate up to 600 devotees.
▲The worship hall can accommodate up to 600 devotees.
▲Peering out into the courtyard from the worship hall.
▲Peering out into the courtyard from the worship hall.

The first exchange of proposals in Japan

Komura says, “The resident deity of Kumano Taisha shrine is a god called Musuhi. Possessing the power of birth and creation, the worship of Musuhi consists of thirty gods, including the three great gods Izanami-no-Mikoto, Izanagi-no-Mikoto, and Susanō-no-Mikoto.”

▲Within the shrine grounds are another thirty smaller shrines.
▲Within the shrine grounds are another thirty smaller shrines.

“Anyway, according to legend, the male and female great gods of this shrine made the first marriage proposal in Japan here, which is how they were married,” Komura continues. The male god, Izanami-no-Mikoto, said to the female goddess, Izanagi-no-Mikoto, ‘Ah, what a wonderful lady’, and proposed to here there and then.” It’s such a romantic legend!

It is from the names of these two gods that the word “izanau”, which means to invite or propose, came into being.

▲Because of the legend of the proposal, various spots throughout the shrine became places for wishing for romance and relationships. (In the photo is the “Hana-musubi”, or “flower bonds”, next to the shrine office)
▲Because of the legend of the proposal, various spots throughout the shrine became places for wishing for romance and relationships. (In the photo is the “Hana-musubi”, or “flower bonds”, next to the shrine office)
▲Fallen leaves arranged into a heart!
▲Fallen leaves arranged into a heart!

Behind the worship hall are three more halls. The first is the main hall, also known as the “hongū”, where you can pray to Izanami-no-Mikoto.

The second hall, where you can pray to Izanagi-no-Mikoto, is a prefecture-designated cultural property, and the third hall, built during the Edo period for the worship of Susanō-no-Mikoto, is a city designated cultural property.

Though it is unfortunate that you can’t enter them to say your prayers, it’s fine to ponder about their love story while observing from the outside.

▲The place of worship for the main hall and second hall.
▲The place of worship for the main hall and second hall.

You’ll get good luck in relationships if you can find all three rabbits!

Since ancient times, rabbits have been a symbol of bonds and luck in relationships. Kumano Taisha shrine has such a story as well. Within the shrine grounds are hidden rabbits too! Let’s try finding them.

▲For those looking for a little luck in love, the strongest power spot is here!
▲For those looking for a little luck in love, the strongest power spot is here!

The first place Komura brought us to is the back of the main hall. Within the carvings on the exterior are three rabbits. Some time ago, a legend popped up, saying that if you find all three rabbits, your wish would come true. Because of this, the area became well-known nationwide as a power spot for love and relationships, and is frequently visited by people all throughout Japan.

▲There’s one right there! Do you know where this rabbit is?
▲There’s one right there! Do you know where this rabbit is?

When we asked Komura for help finding the remaining two rabbits, he said, “The second rabbit is somewhere in that area, and as for the third, please find it on your own. It’s said that if you tell others about the location of the rabbits, or find out about their locations from other people, there will be no effect on your luck.”

▲“There are people who spend the entire day here looking for the rabbits. We’ve even had joyful news of people getting married after finding all three rabbits.”
▲“There are people who spend the entire day here looking for the rabbits. We’ve even had joyful news of people getting married after finding all three rabbits.”

“One tip to finding the rabbits is to understand that the hidden carvings are of rabbits in the wave patterns, and wave patterns in the rabbits. Depending on the angle you’re looking at it, the shape of the carvings can change as well,” says Komura.

Hmm, it’s a difficult quest indeed! Though we found two rabbits at the end of the day, we couldn’t find the third at all.

Adorable omamori charms that are almost impossible to choose from

After we’ve searched for the rabbits, we went to the shrine office to buy some lucky charms, also known as omamori. There are many adorable omamori with rabbit motifs on sale here too!

▲The reception at the shrine office is wide enough to accommodate crowds during the New Year shrine visits.
▲The reception at the shrine office is wide enough to accommodate crowds during the New Year shrine visits.
▲There are many adorable omamori with retro colors. (Starting from 500 yen each)
▲There are many adorable omamori with retro colors. (Starting from 500 yen each)

As we had trouble picking one out, we asked one of the shrine maidens to help us pick out one for bonds and relationships.

▲The “kizuna” omamori, for bonds and relationships, is a gentle pink color (500 yen)
▲The “kizuna” omamori, for bonds and relationships, is a gentle pink color (500 yen)
▲The omamori for “kanau”, or wishes coming true. You’ll end up wanting multiple ones! (500 yen)
▲The omamori for “kanau”, or wishes coming true. You’ll end up wanting multiple ones! (500 yen)

“It’s so cute!”
What we found our eyes drawn to were the rows of pink rabbits, all neatly lined up. Made in the image of the three rabbits in the shrine, there is slip of omikuji, for fortune telling, tied to the tail.

▲The “Yuwai Usagi”, an ornament than you can’t get anywhere but here (500 yen)
▲The “Yuwai Usagi”, an ornament than you can’t get anywhere but here (500 yen)

Another adorable omamori that the shrine has is the “Tamayura mamori”, only available to participants of the “Enmusubi Kigansai”, or relationship prayer festival, held during the weekend closest to the full moon each month. “Tamayura” is a word which comes from the phrase “tamashi wo yurari okosu”, which means “to shake the soul”. The color of the omamori changes each month too.

▲The Tamayura mamori, with its irresistible cuteness! (Participation in the prayers cost 2,000 yen)
▲The Tamayura mamori, with its irresistible cuteness! (Participation in the prayers cost 2,000 yen)
▲The mizuhiki, or paper strings, on each Tamayura mamori is handmade.
▲The mizuhiki, or paper strings, on each Tamayura mamori is handmade.
▲Don’t forget to get the goshuin, or temple seal! (2,000 yen for the book, 300 yen for just the seal)
▲Don’t forget to get the goshuin, or temple seal! (2,000 yen for the book, 300 yen for just the seal)

In Kumano Taisha shrine, the Daidai Kagura, a dance to honor the gods, is held every weekend from January to March (called the “shinshun sangū”) and October and November (called the “aki sangū”).

The dance performed here has its roots in the ones performed in Ise Jingū Shrine, and is one of the oldest and most revered in Japan. Right now, the dance is performed only in Ise Jingū shrine and Kumano Taisha Shrine.

▲The dance of the Daidai Kagura.
▲The dance of the Daidai Kagura.

From the beginning of June to the end of September, windchimes line the sides of the main worship hall. The scenery here changes with the seasons, so you can enjoy different sights all year round.

From the magnificent structures to calm silence radiating from the shrine grounds, why not immerse yourself in this special place? You may even find some adorable rabbits to turn your luck around!

Take a breather at a café where you can enjoy views of the giant ginkgo tree

After you’ve finished your shrine visit, why not take a break at “Icho Café”, located at the shrine entrance? As its name implies, it’s where the famous ginkgo tree is, which is called “icho” in Japanese.

▲“Icho Café”, situated right under the ginkgo tree.
▲“Icho Café”, situated right under the ginkgo tree.
▲Around mid-November, the ground in front of the café is scattered with leaves from the ginkgo tree.
▲Around mid-November, the ground in front of the café is scattered with leaves from the ginkgo tree.

Previously, there was an old shopfront where café is now, and after some renovations by a few young entrepreneurs, the café opened in 2015. The café’s lunch sets featuring collaborations with local sake breweries, and desserts and smoothies made using locally sourced ingredients, are especially popular.

▲The top three bestsellers of the café: French toast, smoothies, and Neapolitan pasta.
▲The top three bestsellers of the café: French toast, smoothies, and Neapolitan pasta.

The Neapolitan pasta in the lunch menu is the result of a collaboration with a local sake brewery. The rich and fragrant tomato sauce base of the pasta is made using the sake lees from “Junmai Ginjō,” a variety of sake.

▲The Neapolitan pasta costs 800 yen (with tax) with a salad, and 1,000 yen (with tax) for the set, which comes with a drink as well. (Drink does not include smoothies)
▲The Neapolitan pasta costs 800 yen (with tax) with a salad, and 1,000 yen (with tax) for the set, which comes with a drink as well. (Drink does not include smoothies)

The bestselling French toast uses milk from the local Nagameyama Farm as its base, made by slowly steeping bread into the egg and milk mixture, then toasting on a copper plate. The outside is crisp, with a chewy centre.
The smoothies have a gentle and refreshing taste, having been made with fresh apples and honey.

▲Fluffy French toast. (500 yen, with tax)
▲Fluffy French toast. (500 yen, with tax)
▲Smoothie of the day (600 yen, with tax), which uses locally produced apples and honey.
▲Smoothie of the day (600 yen, with tax), which uses locally produced apples and honey.

In autumn, you can see the leaves from the ginkgo tree gently float down to the ground, coloring the immediate vicinity in a sea of lush gold. You can view the scenery through the glass windows while enjoying an unforgettable time in the café. It’s a place that puts you at ease and welcomes you back again and again.

  • icho café
    icho cafe
    • Address 3707-1, Miyauchi, Nanyō-shi, Yamagata-ken
    • Phone Number 080-5734-0909
    • Business hours: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (until 5:30 p.m. from December to March)
      Lunch time from 11:30 a.m. to 2:0 p.m.
      Closed on Tuesdays

Meet the white rabbit station master!

While on the topic of rabbits, it’s not just Kumano Taisha shrine which has them. Surprisingly, the station master of the nearest station is a white rabbit too?!

With our curiosity piqued, we head down to Miyauchi Station, the nearest station to the shrine, to see what’s going on.

▲Miyauchi station on the Flower Nagai line, which is five minutes by car from Kumano Taisha shrine.
▲Miyauchi station on the Flower Nagai line, which is five minutes by car from Kumano Taisha shrine.

The Flower Nagai line is a 30-kilometer long local line, connecting JR Akayu Station part of the Yamagata shinkansen, to Arato Station in Shirataka-machi, a small city. The place is also well-known as the setting of the 2004 Japanese comedy film, Swing Girls. Miyauchi Station is a small station two stops away from Akayu Station.

▲It’s a local line with just one train every one or two hours.
▲It’s a local line with just one train every one or two hours.

When we reached the station, we went straight through the fare gates and onto the platform (when entering the platform from outside the station, there’s no need for an entry ticket). Follow the signs at the station, and you’ll reach the office of the station master, Mocchii. At the entrance to the office, are stated five rules to observe when meeting station master Mocchii.

Petting, loud noises, and flash photography are not allowed, and once you open the door, you’ll be greeted by Mocchi, who is eating snacks! As an elderly rabbit, Mocchi doesn’t like to move around much, but Mocchi is still bursting with cuteness and loveliness.

▲The round and fluffy idol of Miyauchi station!
▲The round and fluffy idol of Miyauchi station!

This is the only train station in Japan with a rabbit for its station master. The media frequently comes down to interview Mocchi, and Mocchi’s photo collections have many fans too. As Mocchi has off days too, be sure to check with the station before going down.

  • Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line: Miyauchi Station
    山形鉄道フラワー長井線 宮内駅
    • Address Miyauchi, Nanyō-shi, Yamagata-ken
    • Phone Number 0238-40-0560
    • Business hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
      Closed on Wednesdays, and from December 30 to January 3

On your pilgrimage to the historic god of bonds and relationships at Kumano Taisha Shrine, it’s a journey of countless discoveries and meetings.

The town is also compact, being centered around Kumano Taisha Shrine, and is easy to explore. Why not make a visit to this power spot of Tohoku, where rabbits await to welcome you?

Photos: Tomomi Sato

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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