The Isagawajinjya Shrine in Nara city

Mission, The Isagawajinjya Shrine (researched 25 Dec 2013)

 

 Hatsumode (初詣)= First visit to a shrine or temple (hatsumode is the main thing during oshiyogatsu (お正月 = the New Year`s Holiday)

 

 New Year is around the corner, however, the New Year's Holiday season would be the prime time of a year. Today, I`ll let you know The Isagawajinjya Shrine that is good to visit for your hatsumode in Nara  city.

 

 

 

 

 

 Here is what I know about the shrine.

 

1, the shrine was built in year 593, is dedicated for Himetaraisuzuhimenomikoto (ひめたらいすずひめのみこと) who is the Empress of the first Emperor jinmu 神武. The shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Nara city.

 

2, the place is known as a shrine for having easy delivery and good child rearing.

 

3, a few festivals are held in January and Jun.

 

4, The Shinto styled wedding is held at the shrine. (pay) 

 

5, The Shinto exorcism is practiced to request. (pay)

 

6, omikuji (writen oracle) is available.

 

6, Kaeru-ishi (蛙石＝the frog shaped rock) is worshiped at the shrine. "Kaeru"  means a frog in English, rhymes with "going back", "coming back" in Japanese. There fore, it is blieved that the rock as a lucky rock to get money back and get lucky back.
 

 

 

In addition

I bought a horse shaped lucky charm clay bell. Since it will be year of the horse in 2014, horse shaped items are sold all over the nation. 

 

 

 

Over all

The shrine is centrally located in Nara city. You can stop by there as a part of exploring Nara city for your hatsumode. It sits right  in between JR Nara station and the Nara park (The Todaiji Temple, The Kofukuji Temple and The Kasugataishiya Shrine). I suppose the plase would be the best spot to avoid the crowd for "hatsumode."

Check the web site for the maps on http://www.isagawa-jinja.jp/izagawa.index.html.html

 

 

 

 

How to get there

You can get there on foot from the JR Nara station and the Kintetsu Nara station. It takes around 30min.

Car park is available next to the shrine, costs you ¥300 for 30min.

Address 18 Komamori, Nara city Nara

Ph 0742-22-0832

Web site http://www.isagawa-jinja.jp/izagawa.index.html.html

 

 

 

 

Cost

No admission fee is required to enter the shrine.

A horse shaped clay bell costs you ¥ 500

 

Conclusion

As usual, The accessibility for wheel chair doesn't be seen at the shrine. It is  gravelly all the way at the spot. The public toilet is located while no priority toilet is placed.

                                          It was a nice and sunny day.