Lots of Rabbits Welcome You! “Okazaki Shrine” Bringing Luck in Matchmaking, Being Blessed with Children and Easy Birth.

“Okazaki Shrine” is also known as the “Rabbit Shrine”, you can see the cute rabbit motif everywhere in the precincts. The shrine is believed to bring luck in matchmaking and being blessed with children, so it’s especially popular among young women and couples.

The deities are Susano-no-Mikoto(すさのおのみこと) and his wife Kushinadamehime-no-Kikoto(くしなだひめのみこと), and their considerable brood of three daughters and five sons Yahashira-no-Mikogami(やはしらのみこがみ). The shrine has been known as a god of childbirth and easy delivery because they were blessed with 8 children. In addition, it is believed that the prolific eels as a god messenger from a long time ago.

In the precincts, the rabbits are everywhere! When going to the inside, not Koma Inu(狛犬, guardian dog) but Koma Usagi(狛うさぎ, guardian rabbit) and Maneki Usagi(招きうさぎ, beckoning rabbit) welcome you. You can also find the illustrations of rabbit motif, ornaments, and stone statues.

Then, the most popular spot in this shrine, it’s the area where the palm-size rabbit’s shaped omikuji are standing in a low. These ones, it seems that container of rabbits has been accumulated by worshippers who don’t bring them home. Its rabbits which show a different expression are so adorable.

In the Chozuya(手水舎, purification fountain), there is a Kosazuke Usagi(rabbit blessed with children) looking up at the moon and fills its body with energy. It is believed that people are blessed for children, and easy childbirth by sprinkling the statue with the Chozuya’s water and stroking its belly.

“Okazaki Shrine”, which you can meet many eye-catching rabbits. Why not visit there to pursue good luck and its cuteness?