Make a wish upon some colorful monkeys ♪ Good fortune and good pictures at Yasaka Koshindo

Yasaka Koshindo (八坂庚申堂) is located in Higashi-ku, Kyoto where many tourist sites are located. It’s one of Japan’s top 3 spiritual sites alongside Shitennoji Koshindo in Osaka and Iriya Koshindo in Tokyo. The place is filled with colorful Kukuri-zaru (くくり猿)  that carry visitors’ wishes. Kukuri-zaru are monkey figures that are often said to be good luck. This spot is also a famous social media spot.

Kukuri-zaru’s hands and feet are bound, so they can’t move freely, and they are servants of the god, Koshin-san (庚申さん). They represent the spiritual power that keeps them from being controlled by their desires. Kukuri-zaru are believed to symbolize the idea that “if you give up one desire, one wish will come true.” At Yasaka Koshindo, you can write your wish on one and hang it, or you can get a small one to keep on your person.

The Kukuri-zaru create a photogenic background. In addition, there are monkeys representing “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” that are hiding in cute poses. Look under the roof or under the incense burner to find these monkey gods.