OHARANO JINJA
大原野神社
Oharano Jinja 大原神社
The vast grounds of Ohara Jinja are located at the foot of the nearby Nishiyama mountains and are surrounded by the deep green forest which turn bright red in autumn. Oharano Jinja is a branch shrine of the ancient Kasuga Taisha in Nara and is known for its deer imagery as the deity that visitors pay homage to here, Kasuga Daimyojin, is traditionally shown riding a white deer. It is hardly known, even to Kyoto residents, but it was once considered among the top 22 shrines of Japan.
Oharano Jinja originated in the year 784 when Emperor Kanmu relocated the capital to the nearby city of Nagaokakyo. The emperor’s wife, Fujiwara no Otomuro, divided the guardian deity of the Fujiwara clan that was enshrined at Kasuga Taisha in Nara and enshrined it here in Oharano where she would often indulge in falconry.
Girls born into the Fujiwara clan would visit Oharano Jinja to pray that they would become empress or the emperor's second wife. If their prayers came true, it became customary to organize a procession and make a pilgrimage back to the shrine.
The main hall at Oharano Jinja is surrounded by an impressive cypress forest. The main altars for the enshrined deities are mostly hidden within the fenced structure of the prayer hall. The god of thunder Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, Iwainushi no Mikoto, Ame no Koyane no Mikoto, and Himegami are enshrined in the main hall, while Oshikumune no Mikoto in the auxiliary shrine.
Oharano Shrine is particularly known as a place to pray for success related to governance, directional luck, and knowledge. For single ladies, it is also known to guard women and assist in finding a suitable life partner.
Before leaving Oharano Jinja it is highly recommended to take a tea break at either of the two small shops run by locals of the area. The two shops are named Kasuga no Chaya and Kobayashi and both specialize in mugwort mochi cakes.
The recipe of this traditional sweet has remained unchanged since the Edo period, and is filled with red bean pasted and sprinkled on top with kinako powder.
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